Bmr, there have been a lot of close pitches in the last few innings. I thought Embree's first pitch to Durazo was a strike, which could have changed that at bat and we may not even be playing at this point.

 

I have umpired many games over the years and sometimes you just get those games (or even parts of games) where it seems like every pitch is borderline. It ain't easy and if you are trying to do it at 4-hour mark, I am sure he has missed a pitch here or there, with so many close ones.

Bmr, there have been a lot of close pitches in the last few innings.  I thought Embree's first pitch to Durazo was a strike, which could have changed that at bat and we may not even be playing at this point.

 

I have umpired many games over the years and sometimes you just get those games (or even parts of games) where it seems like every pitch is borderline.  It ain't easy and if you are trying to do it at 4-hour mark, I am sure he has missed a pitch here or there, with so many close ones.

Nah hes doing a good job. It was just that particular inning, every borderline call went to Boston.

Those were some damned close pitches to Damon, but I do think they were outside. Barely lol

 

Speaking of irritations..... does anybody like the "strike zone" graphics they have been using? Where they are trying to show where the ball was in or out of the zone? Those things are so freakin inaccurate that it is stupid. The overhead camera showing the ball crossing the plate is a crock of s*** too. That angle distorts the view worse than the angles we had before.

Question: What do you guys think of the decision to go with Keith for 3 innings in the very first playoff game. Im assuming with the days off it wont hurt, but i was just curious what others thought.

Is it me or does David Ortiz = Mo Vaughn Lite?  Am I the only one that sees this in his Red Sox uni?

 

And does David Justice as an announcer annoy anyone else besides me??

Him and Jeff Brantley annoy the hell out of me.

 

Damon steals second (Great call).

I know Foulke isn't real popular around here, but there is nothing in baseball prettier than a perfectly thrown changeup where the batter is completely fooled, thinking it was a fastball.....

 

A perfectly executed hit and run is a close second.

Another guy who doesn't have a typical announcers voice is Tony Gwynn, but I like it for some reason.

I like Gwynn a lot. Is he doing any game? I'm assuming he's doing the Giants/Marlins?

Question:  What do you guys think of the decision to go with Keith for 3 innings in the very first playoff game.  Im assuming with the days off it wont hurt, but i was just curious what others thought.

Probably because they are in extras and he didn't throw many pitches in his second inning. That certainly is not the case now in this inning.

I know Foulke isn't real popular around here, but there is nothing in baseball prettier than a perfectly thrown changeup where the batter is completely fooled, thinking it was a fastball.....

 

A perfectly executed hit and run is a close second.

I love Keith. I just always felt he should set up. Shows how much I know...

Question:  What do you guys think of the decision to go with Keith for 3 innings in the very first playoff game.  Im assuming with the days off it wont hurt, but i was just curious what others thought.

Keith always has had stamina. He's fresh and you got to go for the win. Keith's the best you got and game one is a decisive game.

 

How come the A's have tomorrows game off? I'd think they would be playing back to back.

 

Foulke is looking good though...one pitch away...he's also one pitch away from giving up a hit

Probably because they are in extras and he didn't  throw many pitches in his second inning.  That certainly is not the case now in this inning.

If oakland loses tonight, its going to be a huge mistake.......

Is it me or does David Ortiz = Mo Vaughn Lite?  Am I the only one that sees this in his Red Sox uni?

 

And does David Justice as an announcer annoy anyone else besides me??

Him and Jeff Brantley annoy the hell out of me.

 

Damon steals second (Great call).

Of course if you are Billy Beane, he says it was a stupid call. Damon stealing the base takes the bat out of Nomar's hands and puts a lesser hitter at the plate.

 

I don't necessarily agree, but that would a textbook case for Billy's argument against the SB.

If oakland loses tonight, its going to be a huge mistake.......

s***...Foulke struck out Jackson on that 2-2 pitch. Or I thought he did.

Wow...HUGE OUTING BY KEITH

 

I always liked him and I'll root for him. I wonder if this means he's gonna be starting next year

s***...Foulke struck out Jackson on that 2-2 pitch.  Or I thought he did.

Jas I think Oak/Bos play tomorrow afternoon and are off Friday. IF they lose tonight and hes not available tomorrow, and its a close game, theyre probably heading to Boston down 2-0. If they win, its brilliant.

Is it me or does David Ortiz = Mo Vaughn Lite?  Am I the only one that sees this in his Red Sox uni?

 

And does David Justice as an announcer annoy anyone else besides me??

Him and Jeff Brantley annoy the hell out of me.

 

Damon steals second (Great call).

Of course if you are Billy Beane, he says it was a stupid call. Damon stealing the base takes the bat out of Nomar's hands and puts a lesser hitter at the plate.

 

I don't necessarily agree, but that would a textbook case for Billy's argument against the SB.

I know what Billy is talking about..but when you got Damon you go. Doesn't he say guys that steal like 76% of the time are allowed to..otherwise you shouldn't.

 

Well in that case I'm going. Two outs...you want to get him to 2nd so a hit can win it. If he gest out..then you got Nomar and Manny the next inning.

 

Just my style though.

I like Gwynn a lot.  Is he doing any game?  I'm assuming he's doing the Giants/Marlins?

Yeah, Gwynn did the Marlins/Giants game earlier today.

Jas I think Oak/Bos play tomorrow afternoon and are off Friday.  IF they lose tonight and hes not available tomorrow, and its a close game, theyre probably heading to Boston down 2-0. If they win, its brilliant.

Hell..I wouldn't even be shocked if he pitched tomorrow if they really needed him. I know it wouldn't be expected, but in the postseason I'm never shocked.

 

Zito is gonna have to step up though. If they had Mulder then you could assume CG, but thats not necessarily the case with Zito.

 

Could you imagine being up at 2:10 in Boston

LOWE?????

Wow Derek Lowe in now for Boston

How come the A's have tomorrows game off? I'd think they would be playing back to back.

 

The same reason the Twins-Yanks were off today. It's the bulls*** NBA method of stretching out series longer than necessary so they can get all the games on TV. No reason other TV, which is crap.

 

Think about it... The Twins got a great game from their bullpen Tuesday necessitated by the injury to Santana. Yet, because of TV, they now get an extra day to rest that bullpen. How fair is that to the other team?? I know no one has much pity for the Yankees, but it is the point. Those extra, non-necessary days off can change the complexion of a series, which I have a major problem with.

LOWE?????

Wow..both teams are pulling the strings out. Is Suppan going tomorrow?

 

Shut up Justice...he's in in relief and he's gonna have to pitch on the road.

Wow..both teams are pulling the strings out.  Is Suppan going tomorrow?

 

Shut up Justice...he's in in relief and he's gonna have to pitch on the road.

Justice is a dips***.

Man Boston really has to be desparate if they're already using starters in relief in Game 1 of the Division Series

Wow..both teams are pulling the strings out.  Is Suppan going tomorrow?

 

Shut up Justice...he's in in relief and he's gonna have to pitch on the road.

Justice is a dips***.

Didn't I basically say that earlier?

 

How interesting that Oakland tried to sac bunt, another thing Billy Beane calls stupid.