Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2011 15:04:10 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Oakland A's (49-48) @
Tampa Bay Rays (58-39)[/shadow]
OAK: Brett Myers (8-6, 3.34 ERA)
TB: Chris Narveson (3-2, 3.86 ERA)
This week's Game of the Week is a special Wednesday edition featuring two teams with very different profiles. Tampa Bay is no stranger to the spotlight with five playoff berths the past five years, a World Series ring, and countless AL East battles.
Oakland however will be playing in its first Game of the Week, as the A's find themselves four back in the AL West.
The A's don't have a lot of household names, but one player most people know about is Chris Carter. A supreme power hitter, Carter has struggled this year after a 41 home run campaign in 2014. His average sits at only .230, but he still has 17 home runs, showing off the power that has made him a fan-favorite in Oakland.
Aside from Carter and infielder Adrian Cardenas, there isn't much power to go around in Oakland, and the A's are last in home runs. However, Oakland is fifth in runs because of the team's commitment to patience. Oakland's 407 walks lead the AL, and three players have walked at least 50 times so far. For players like Carter and Tyreace House, their on-base percentages are healthy compared to their low batting averages.
The A's will go with Brett Myers, who is in the last year of his contract. He's been sharp with eight wins, and Oakland will need him to be sharp again today, as Oakland's middle relief corps has been awful. None of Oakland's setup men inspire much confidence, as pitchers like Henry Rodriguez have failed to pitch up to expectations.
Meanwhile Tampa Bay comes in with a bevy of power hitters that can do damage late with one swing of the bat.
However, Tampa Bay's lineup is anchored by a contact hitter, not a power hitter, that sets the table for everything. After a somewhat disappointing season last year, Marvin Webb is back to slashing the ball. He's hitting .335, with 66 runs scored and a robust .404 on base percentage that would be the best of his career. With Webb back to being a pest, Tampa is back to having the best record in the AL.
Questions for the GM's. For Mike McAvoy, talk about your lineup. Do you feel your high-walk, low power offense can carry you to the playoffs?
You're getting very little pen production outside of Andrew Bailey. Do you make a move to strengthen your relief corps?
You work with only a four man staff. Are you concerned your pitchers will wear down before the end of the season?
For E.J. Joseph, Mark Miller has struggled with walks, and subsequently blown saves in his tenure as closer, including a blown save on a dramatic home run by Chris Carter earlier in the year. What are you looking for in Miller as a closer, and if you don't find it, will you turn elsewhere?
Bernardo "Hit Man" Dominguez has made a splash early in his big league career, including a home run in his first big league game. What did you see in him to bring him to your organization and then to the big leagues?
Ryan Westmoreland is starting to hit for power, but the average isn't there yet. Assess his performance this season. Is it where you want it to be?
Tampa Bay Rays (58-39)[/shadow]
OAK: Brett Myers (8-6, 3.34 ERA)
TB: Chris Narveson (3-2, 3.86 ERA)
This week's Game of the Week is a special Wednesday edition featuring two teams with very different profiles. Tampa Bay is no stranger to the spotlight with five playoff berths the past five years, a World Series ring, and countless AL East battles.
Oakland however will be playing in its first Game of the Week, as the A's find themselves four back in the AL West.
The A's don't have a lot of household names, but one player most people know about is Chris Carter. A supreme power hitter, Carter has struggled this year after a 41 home run campaign in 2014. His average sits at only .230, but he still has 17 home runs, showing off the power that has made him a fan-favorite in Oakland.
Aside from Carter and infielder Adrian Cardenas, there isn't much power to go around in Oakland, and the A's are last in home runs. However, Oakland is fifth in runs because of the team's commitment to patience. Oakland's 407 walks lead the AL, and three players have walked at least 50 times so far. For players like Carter and Tyreace House, their on-base percentages are healthy compared to their low batting averages.
The A's will go with Brett Myers, who is in the last year of his contract. He's been sharp with eight wins, and Oakland will need him to be sharp again today, as Oakland's middle relief corps has been awful. None of Oakland's setup men inspire much confidence, as pitchers like Henry Rodriguez have failed to pitch up to expectations.
Meanwhile Tampa Bay comes in with a bevy of power hitters that can do damage late with one swing of the bat.
However, Tampa Bay's lineup is anchored by a contact hitter, not a power hitter, that sets the table for everything. After a somewhat disappointing season last year, Marvin Webb is back to slashing the ball. He's hitting .335, with 66 runs scored and a robust .404 on base percentage that would be the best of his career. With Webb back to being a pest, Tampa is back to having the best record in the AL.
Questions for the GM's. For Mike McAvoy, talk about your lineup. Do you feel your high-walk, low power offense can carry you to the playoffs?
You're getting very little pen production outside of Andrew Bailey. Do you make a move to strengthen your relief corps?
You work with only a four man staff. Are you concerned your pitchers will wear down before the end of the season?
For E.J. Joseph, Mark Miller has struggled with walks, and subsequently blown saves in his tenure as closer, including a blown save on a dramatic home run by Chris Carter earlier in the year. What are you looking for in Miller as a closer, and if you don't find it, will you turn elsewhere?
Bernardo "Hit Man" Dominguez has made a splash early in his big league career, including a home run in his first big league game. What did you see in him to bring him to your organization and then to the big leagues?
Ryan Westmoreland is starting to hit for power, but the average isn't there yet. Assess his performance this season. Is it where you want it to be?