Series Preview: Oakland Athletics @ Tampa Bay Rays
by Steve Slowinski on Apr 27, 2010 2:04 PM EDT
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PrintThis is our first two-game series of the week. Both games are scheduled for 7:05 PM starts.
Tuesday, 4/27: RHP Ben Sheets vs. RHP Wade Davis
Wednesday, 4/28: LHP Dallas Braden vs. RHP James Shields
This Oakland team doesn't scare me on paper, but it's hard to argue with their results so far this season. Projected to be a .500 club (by CHONE, at least), the A's are currently playing much better than that, sporting one of the best run differentials in the majors (+27). How they're managing to do this...well, I really don't know. Their offense has scored only four less runs than the Yankees, yet their team wOBA (Weighted On-base Average) is an anemic .313. They've hit a total of 12 home runs all season and the middle of their line-up consists of Ryan Sweeney (.337 wOBA), Kurt Suzuki (.331 wOBA), and Eric Chavez (.313 wOBA). Not exactly an awe-inspiring combination there.
With a lackluster offense, their team strength has been run prevention. Their pitchers have posted a team 3.60 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching), 5th best in the majors, and they've managed to outperform that FIP by .67 runs. Their defense has rated around average so far this season (-1.9 UZR; +6 DRS), and my guess is this improves as the season progresses. In particular, their outfield is going to be tough to beat - Gabe Gross, Ryan Sweeney, and Rajai Davis make for a formidable defensive trio.
More after the jump.
Questions for the Series:
- Will Dallas Braden lose his mind yet again? It'd be fun to see him throw another tantrum, but at the same time I don't want the Rays to get involved with that mess.
- How will James Shields pitch in the 1st inning? He started off his last start very slow but managed to buckle down and throw seven innings. I'd love to see him have better control from the beginning, though.
- Will Lobaton actually get in a game? I'd like to see him get an at-bat for his cup of coffee in the majors, but I don't know if that's likely to happen.
- This isn't a question, but it'll be nice to see Gabe Gross again.
Series Projection:
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Comments
Sheets has been all over the place so I expect a lot of walks.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
How many thought we'd be a. ) in first place with MLB best record
b.) have a catching tandem of Jaso and Lobaton?
I like the enthusiasm
FreeZo’s pre-season upper-level breakout picks on raysprospects.com: Aneury and Newmann
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
25 yr old Corner Infielder who has never posted a full season wOBA better than .330? Unlikely
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Do we get BA or Cookie Air Mashal Catcher tonight?
"Hot Tub Time Machine might be the best movie ever!" -Nobody on Earth
by Passionate Apathy on Apr 27, 2010 3:07 PM EDT reply actions
I have had a crush on the A's unis since I was 8, over 3 decades ago......
If I am commenting you need to hear it.
Great uni's and Stomper is pretty cool too
If you ain't first, you're last.
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Apr 27, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I think its the white cleats
A fool thinks himself to be wise.
A wise man knows himself to be a fool.
.
SPTimesRays
#Rays lineup: Bartlett ss, Crawford lf, Zobrist rf, Longoria 3b, Pena 1b, Upton cf, Burrell dh, Jaso c, Brignac 2b, Davis p
Hopefully with a decent lead Maddon will bring in the defensive replacement at catcher.
Though I guess he has big league ABs, it’s still nice to see the guys up get a shot.
or brett anderson
RIP Andy Hellicksonstine. He died, like so many young men of his generation, he died before his time. In your wisdom, SBN, you took him, as you took so many bright flowering young men at the OTTOTD. These young men gave their lives. And so would Andy. Andy, who loved trannies.
by PlayOnWords on Apr 27, 2010 5:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm calling 1-4 with a walk and nobody runs on him.
If you ain't first, you're last.
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Apr 27, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
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