Zito, Chavez Let Games 1-2 Slip Away
VETS FROM DISMAL PLAYOFFS PAST SLAP THE WHAMMY ON THE A'S
Is it any surprise that the two players who made pivotal mistakes in the first two games of the ALCS for the A's are the two notable players from the struggling playoff of teams of the past six years.
This A's team is, indeed, different than those teams. They play better defense, have a better all-around pitching staff and far more depth, but Barry Zito tanked in Game 1 and despite hitting a mammoth homer in Game 2, Eric Chavez's second straight missplay of a grounder to his left have brought back whispers of those teams from earlier this decade.
MILTON BRADLEY IS NOT BLINKING
In the Division Series, Detroit intimidate the Yankees to no end. Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya and some extreme clutch hitting had the veteran Yanks unexpectedly shaken.
In this series, there isn't a sense that Oakland is intimidated by the heat of the Tigers and their style of play. Thirteen strikeouts in Game 2 might indicate otherwise, but there isn't fear because of one guy: Milton Bradley.
He set the tone in Game 1, with his shot to center off of Zumaya's 100 mph fastball. His double was hit so hard that it curved at such and angle away from Curtis Granderson that cold fusion was created at the impact of ball and bat.
Bradley followed it up tonight with two homers and nearly helped the A's pull off a historic comeback in the ninth.
UNLUCKY THIRTEEN?
The number thirteen is haunting the A's in this series. In Game 1, they were a playoff record-tying 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Tonight, Detroit pitchers struckout 13 A's hitters, including six in a row late in the game. Friday's Game 3 lands on Friday the 13th.
STICK WITH HAREN IN GAME 3
It goes without saying that Game 3, Friday in Motown, is a must win. Words is that Oakland will start Rich Harden which would be a huge gamble on Ken Macha's part. The forecast calls for temperatures in the 30s with the possibility of snow.
Is it wise to trot out a pitcher who really hasn't pitched a full start since July in a must win. Throw in the fact that Comerica Park will be rocking in their parkas and the prospect of Harden's confidence wavering becomes a huge risk against reversing the momentum of this series.
This is the sort of dubious decision-making regarding the playoff pitching rotation that hampered the A's in the past. Remember, journeyman Gil Heredia starting the decisive Game 5 of the 2000 ALDS against the Yankees?
If the A's can win with Harden on the mound in Game 3, do you weaken yourself by starting Game 4 starter, Dan Haren, on three days rest for a possible Game 7?
MASTER OF THE A'S UNIVERSE
Tonight's Fox telecast of the ALCS neglected to mention an emerging storyline in this series. With the Tigers up 2-0 and returning home they'll have the A's #1 nemesis on the mound Friday. Kenny Rogers is an unbelievable 21-7 against Oakland. As if the road to World Series wasn't long enough for the A's already.
Is it any surprise that the two players who made pivotal mistakes in the first two games of the ALCS for the A's are the two notable players from the struggling playoff of teams of the past six years.
This A's team is, indeed, different than those teams. They play better defense, have a better all-around pitching staff and far more depth, but Barry Zito tanked in Game 1 and despite hitting a mammoth homer in Game 2, Eric Chavez's second straight missplay of a grounder to his left have brought back whispers of those teams from earlier this decade.
MILTON BRADLEY IS NOT BLINKING
In the Division Series, Detroit intimidate the Yankees to no end. Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya and some extreme clutch hitting had the veteran Yanks unexpectedly shaken.
In this series, there isn't a sense that Oakland is intimidated by the heat of the Tigers and their style of play. Thirteen strikeouts in Game 2 might indicate otherwise, but there isn't fear because of one guy: Milton Bradley.
He set the tone in Game 1, with his shot to center off of Zumaya's 100 mph fastball. His double was hit so hard that it curved at such and angle away from Curtis Granderson that cold fusion was created at the impact of ball and bat.
Bradley followed it up tonight with two homers and nearly helped the A's pull off a historic comeback in the ninth.
UNLUCKY THIRTEEN?
The number thirteen is haunting the A's in this series. In Game 1, they were a playoff record-tying 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Tonight, Detroit pitchers struckout 13 A's hitters, including six in a row late in the game. Friday's Game 3 lands on Friday the 13th.
STICK WITH HAREN IN GAME 3
It goes without saying that Game 3, Friday in Motown, is a must win. Words is that Oakland will start Rich Harden which would be a huge gamble on Ken Macha's part. The forecast calls for temperatures in the 30s with the possibility of snow.
Is it wise to trot out a pitcher who really hasn't pitched a full start since July in a must win. Throw in the fact that Comerica Park will be rocking in their parkas and the prospect of Harden's confidence wavering becomes a huge risk against reversing the momentum of this series.
This is the sort of dubious decision-making regarding the playoff pitching rotation that hampered the A's in the past. Remember, journeyman Gil Heredia starting the decisive Game 5 of the 2000 ALDS against the Yankees?
If the A's can win with Harden on the mound in Game 3, do you weaken yourself by starting Game 4 starter, Dan Haren, on three days rest for a possible Game 7?
MASTER OF THE A'S UNIVERSE
Tonight's Fox telecast of the ALCS neglected to mention an emerging storyline in this series. With the Tigers up 2-0 and returning home they'll have the A's #1 nemesis on the mound Friday. Kenny Rogers is an unbelievable 21-7 against Oakland. As if the road to World Series wasn't long enough for the A's already.
