vs. ATHLETICS 7/27

[Grt 2BA FL Gator]

Not really sure why Buck is making these changes before Weeks. Doesn't really matter what you throw at him, he is awful this year. Might as well have Lindstrom in there for 1 more batter..

[EagleOriole]

Hey Buck...I am going to give you two players who can't field at 3B. One has an OPS of .818 vs. RHP and .460 vs. LHP. One has a .622 OPS vs. RHP and .886 vs. LHP. Can you figure out how to use them effectively?

[erb8472]

Anyone else think that Buck didn't pinch run for Thome or pinch hit for Betemit because he has an 8 man bullpen right now. Tough to make changes in your lineup when you have 3 bench players.

[eddie83]

Anyone else think that Buck didn't pinch run for Thome or pinch hit for Betemit because he has an 8 man bullpen right now. Tough to make changes in your lineup when you have 3 bench players.

Yes and that is fine.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Anyone else think that Buck didn't pinch run for Thome or pinch hit for Betemit because he has an 8 man bullpen right now. Tough to make changes in your lineup when you have 3 bench players.

Yep, it would have been nice to have Tolleson or Pearce on the bench there.

[Chavez Ravine]

Anyone else think that Buck didn't pinch run for Thome or pinch hit for Betemit because he has an 8 man bullpen right now. Tough to make changes in your lineup when you have 3 bench players.

I was going to make a snarky comment about how he uses those 8 pitchers, but then I got tired.

[alaniee]

Ball was smoked but the more I see Betemit at 3rd the more I see he doesn't have much range and quickness over there...

[erb8472]

Yes and that is fine.

Fine if you manage your 8 man bullpen correctly.

[eddie83]

Now Ayala is up. Good thing Strop and JJ will get a rest tonight.

[erb8472]

How in the world is Oakland's offense so good?

Beane is auditioning for Moneyball Part 2.

[Wish]

An average 3rd baseman would have had that...

[LA2]

This inning is over. This is terrible match up for the O's. This lefty is tough in righties and Betemit can't hit right-handed. Good managing by Melvin.

Which brings up another issue. Offense-wise, it's really a waste of a roster spot to have two lefty-hitting middle infielders up (Flaherty and Quintanilla). If we had had another right-handed hitter on the bench, we cd have pinch-hit for Betemit (.158 BA vs. LHP). Flaherty and Q are redundant, especially if you bench Flaherty when he's hitting well. Sorry, it's just mystifying managing and roster management. (And I just don't think the defensive improvement with Q is substantial enough to carry two lefty-hitting second basemen.)

[Grt 2BA FL Gator]

Really sucks to blow this one. Can't say it enough. Buck should come out and take the blame. Clearly he screwed the pooch.

[Skeletor]

Ball was smoked but the more I see Betemit at 3rd the more I see he doesn't have much range and quickness over there...

He's in the lineup for his clutch bat.

[erb8472]

This is a crucial at bat.