Posts Tagged ‘Oakland A’s’

Sweep The A’s

Posted: August 7, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, Minor League Baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
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Wrapping up their trip to Oak Town, Kyle Hemdricks gets the nod trying to grab his 11th win of the season.  He’s taking on A’s 24 year old Valparaiso, IN native, Sean Manaea who’s looking for his fourth win of the season.

Manaea would give up a singe I’m the first to Kris Bryant but ends up picking him to end the first inning.  The second inning would see Ben Zobrist doubling and Jorge Soler singling but no runs score.  The third inning would see Matt Szczur doubling and Dexter Fowler and Bryant walking to load the bases.  Zo would ground into a double play to end the inning.  Manaea would retire six straight to make it through five unscathed.

Through five innings Hendricks gives up a single in the first and second but then retires the next nine batters straight.  Bryant leads off the top of the sixth with his 27th home run of the season for the first run of the game.  Kyle retires his 12th straight batter in the bottom of the sixth.

Jorge Soler leads off the seventh with his seventh home run of the season.  This prompts A’s skipper to make a call to the pen and bring in Ryan Dull.  He gets the first out but gives up a single to Javier Baez who does get caught stealing.  Szczur singles on a close play but is challenges and over turned to end the top of the seventh.  Kyle adds three more to the list after not allowing a hit since the second inning.  

The A’s decide to bring in Andrew Triggs for the eighth to see Dexter Fowler who leads off with a single.  Kris Bryant reaches first on a walk promoting another pitching change.  Marc Rzepczynski enters the game to try prevent the Cubs from adding to the board but he gives up an RBI double to Anthony Rizzo.  Ben Zobrist grabs an intentional walk to load the bases and Liam Hendriks is brought in to strike out Addison Russell, then  Jorge Soler.  Wilson Contreras grounds out to end the inning.  

Marcus Siemen takes Kyle out of the game after 100 pitches as he hits a one out solo home run.  Kyle gets a standing Ovation from all the Cubs fans in attendance as Pedro Strop enters the game to end the eighth.  

Chris Smith, first star since 2010 enters the game to hold the Cubs from adding to the board.  He gets the first out but Szczur lays down a bunt for a hit.  Fowler gets called on strikes.  Kris Bryant gets into a full count, takes the next three pitches foul but flys out to end the inning.  Aroldis Chapman to enter the game for the save opportunity.  He gets the first two batters to ground out. Stephen Vogt steps into the box and takes would be strike three to left for a single.  Khris Davis gets called out a 104 mph fast ball for the save.  

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

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Two an’ Oakland!

Posted: August 6, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, Minor League Baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
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Both teams donned throwback jersey honoring Oakland’s 1981 days.  Jake Arrieta looks to get back into form and start August off with a winning record as he seeks win number 13.  Sonny Gray steps to the mound  trying to get a little closer to .500.  

Both pitchers have a quick first inning.  The second is followed by a couple base runners but no runs.  It’s the top of third that starts with back to back single to Wilson Contreras and Dexter Fowler but Gray gets the next two outs.  Ben Zobrist at the plate and he sends a line drive to center driving in both Contreras and Fowler.  The Cubs grab two runs to help put Jake a little closer to that first win in over a month.  The bottom half goes by quick.  

Gray bounces back in the fourth not allowing a base runner where Jake allows a walk.  The same for the fifth as Gray again doesn’t allow a runner but Jake gives up a single.  Manager Bob Melvin decides to bring in Liam Hendriks who starts the inning off by giving up a double to Anthony Rizzo.  He then scores on Addison Russell ground ball to third.  Russell scores on Jorge Soler’s double.  The Cubs grab runs three and four to put Arrieta that much closer to a W.  

Jake for the first time since May 14 goes eight innings only allowing four base runners on three singles and a walk with four strike outs 

The Cubs would see Patrick Schuster and John Axford.  In those three innings the Cubs reach on three walks but don’t add anymore runs to the board.  Cubs take two in Oakland and have one more before heading back home.  

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

The Podcast now on Tunein.com, Download the app today and follow us or Apple users can download us in the Podcast app today!

How was your Week?

Posted: January 17, 2015 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, football, hockey, sports
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1/17/14

With the way the off-season started if you where a fan of the Oakland A’s where you concerned what your team would look like? I’m not even a fan of the A’s, but I couldn’t figure out what Billy Beane was trying to do with the team. There’s still about six weeks before spring training starts and who knows if the A’s are done making moves, but the team looks a lot different from last season. I think most if not all A’s fan realized that Jon Lester wouldn’t be back with the team in 2015. There was a lot of talk that if the A’s couldn’t sign Jeff Samardzija they would trade him, but I think most expert thought it would happen around the trade deadline not at the owners meetings. Even though the Samardzija deal happened a little earlier than people thought it would him and Lester being gone was kind of expected. Then Josh Donaldson and Brandon Moss are traded in separate deals. Two of the three catchers from last season; Derek Norris and John Jaso where dealt. They didn’t make an attempt to resign shortstop Jed Lowrie and utility man Nick Punto was let go. Luke Gregerson was also allowed to leave as a free agent. Even though they brought Billy Butler in to be the Designated Hitter and Ike Davis to play 1st base I wasn’t all that sold on the A’s competing in the American League West, but slowly the team has come together. With the two latest deals getting Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays and then turning around and sending Escobar to the Washington Nationals for Tyler Clippard I wouldn’t be surprised to see the A;s contending again. Mr. Fantasy and I discussed the A’s line up last night (Friday) on the Sports Time Radio podcast. I believe he’s actually more sold on them than I am. I think they needed one more power hitting threat in the batting order, but he thinks they’ll get by. Stephen Vogt will get to catch full-time, Brett Lawrie takes over at 3rd base, Zobrist will play 2nd base with Davis at 1st and as long as you’re sold on Marcus Semien as your everyday shortstop the infield is set. The outfield looks like Josh Reddick in right field, Coco Crisp in centerfield and Sam Fuld in left field with Craig Gentry as the 4th outfielder and then Butler in the DH role. The rotation has Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir, Jesse Chavez, Drew Pomeranz and Jesse Hahn possibly set to open the season. Don’t forget they also have A.J. Griffin and Jarrod Parker; both of whom are recovering from Tommy John surgery, but will be back some time during the 2015 season. Clippard should drop right into the set up role in front of closer Sean Doolittle. Ryan Cook will also fit into a set up role in the bullpen. If the A’s are done do you think they can contend with this team? or do they need to make another move or two?

Staying in the Bay area the San Francisco Giants signed outfielder Norichika Aoki to a one year deal worth $4.7 million dollars. The deal includes a club option for 2016, and can max out at $12.5 million over two seasons based on the option and performance bonuses. It appears that Aoki will take over in left field for the Giants and may hit towards the top of the batting order. With the Aoki signing and Casey McGehee being brought in to play 3rd base are the Giants done this off-season? There where some rumors this week that the Giants might have some interest in starting pitcher Dillon Gee of the New York Mets. The Giants did talk to Jon Lester and there might have been some interest in James Shields, but they brought opted to bring Jake Peavey back. With Matt Cain coming off of ankle surgery and some other rotation questions are the Giants looking for another starting pitcher? On the podcast last night (Friday) Mr. Fantasy and I talked everything Giants with Mark O’Neill from www.aroundthefoghorn.com you can hear what Mark thinks the Giants might do with the rest of the off-season at Sports Time Radio.

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has been suspended for two games, without pay, for slew-footing New York Rangers forward Derick Brassard during their game in Boston on Thursday night. I’m wondering if you had the same question I did; what is slew footing? Here is the NHL definition of slew footing. A dangerous play where a player comes from behind an opposing skater and trips the player unexpectedly by dragging the skate so the victim falls to the ice and quite often hits his head or lands hard due to the sneaky nature of the crime. I’ve seen it done before on the ice, but didn’t know what it was called. It is however considered one of the dirtiest cheap shots a hockey player can do, particularly due to the unexpected sneaky nature of the infraction. Match penalties can be assessed by the referee when a player deliberately takes these kinds of penalties. However, sometimes players can commit the foul by accident when skating up behind a player and attempting to body check them. Even the best players in the game get accused of slew footing; Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby for example in 2009 and 2010 in separate incidents. Although it is considered a severe penalty, there is often debate when slew footing penalties are examined for further suspension. Besides numerous small suspensions, a severe injury or long suspension is rarely seen.

Tomorrow we find out who’s going to the Super Bowl. I had the Seattle Seahawks facing the Indianapolis Colts at the beginning of the season; so I guess you know who I’m picking to win tomorrow’s games. I’ve been trying to get Mr. Fantasy and Dan the Man to join me on the Colts bandwagon, but it looks like I don’t have any takers. I have Dan the Man’s picks and he likes New England while Mr. Fantasy hasn’t officially made his picks I believe he’ll go with the Patriots to win as well. I’m still waiting for Schaumburg Stu’s picks for Sunday; so maybe he’ll be the one to join me on that Colts bandwagon.

You can find Sports Time Radio on BlogTalk Radio and you can find me on Twitter @Burketime.

So how was your week?

Let’s call it Wednesday 10/1/14

Posted: October 1, 2014 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, sports, Uncategorized
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It may be the 1st day of October, but September went out with one of the most exciting MLB playoff games that I can remember. The American League wild card game had the Kansas City Royals finding ways to come back time after time against the Oakland A’s. The Royals scored 2 run in the bottom of the 12th inning to get a 9-8 victory and advance to face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the divisional playoff series. Salvador Perez’s only hit was the game winner in the bottom of the 12th and reliever Jason Frasor picked up the win as the 6th Royals pitcher to come out of their bullpen. While both starter Jon Lester for Oakland and James Shields for Kansas City will get big money free agent contracts this off-season neither guy pitched like the staff ace that he had been during the season. Lester hung around for 7 1/3rd innings giving up 6 runs on 8 hits while striking out 5 and walking 2. Shields only pitched 5 innings for the Royals; he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits while striking out 6, walking 2 and giving up 1 home run. The Royals had 7 stolen bases in the game and Christian Colon’s in the 12th inning set him up to score the winning run on Perez’s single. Let’s hope tonight’s National League wild card game is just as exciting. The San Francisco Giants are starting left hander Madison Bumgarner who was 18-10 during the regular season. While the Pittsburgh Pirates send right hander Edinson Volquez to the mound. Volquez was 13-7 in the regular season. The Pirates line up is already up and I was surprised to see Gaby Sanchez getting the start at 1st base and Travis Snider making the start in rightfield. I’d like to bill this game as a battle of the last two National League MVP winners; Buster Posey for the Giants and Andrew McCutchen for the Pirates.

Well our Week 4 NFL picks weren’t that great. Schaumburg Stu and Mr. Fantasy tied for the winning record at 7-6. There’s a quote Schaumburg Stu and I use all the time. It’s from professional wrestling legend Buddy Rogers. In an interview he said “They don’t ask you how you won; they ask you if you won”. Hopefully I got that right; if not Schaumburg Stu will straighten me out. Dan the Man and I finished Week for with 6-7 records. For the season Dan the Man is still holding the lead at 35-26, Mr. Fantasy is just 1 game behind at 34-27 while Schaumburg Stu and I are tied at the bottom with a 32-29 record. Let’s hope Week 5 draws out some better records from us.

Let’s see how Mr. Fantasy did with his individual player picks for fantasy high scorers at each position for Week 4. He went with San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers to be the high scorer at that position. Rivers had a good week, but finished 6th among quarterbacks. It was Eli Manning who was the highest scoring quarterback last week. At the running back spot Mr. Fantasy choose DeMarco Murray as his high scorer. Murray finished 3rd among running backs for Week 4 as he was beat out by Matt Asiata of the Minnesota Vikings who finished 2nd and Jamaal Charles of the Kansas City Chiefs who bounced back from injury to be the highest scoring running back of Week 4. At wide Receiver Mr. Fantasy went with Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers as his high scorer. Brown finished 2nd at wide receiver in Week 4 being beat out by only Steve Smith Sr. of the Baltimore Ravens. We use the Yahoo scoring system for our leagues and Smith beat out Brown by .46; so Mr. Fantasy missed by not even half of a point. At tight end this week since Larry Donnell put up such big numbers during the Thursday night football game we went with the 2nd highest scoring tight end in Week 4. Mr. Fantasy went with Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints. Graham was the 3rd highest scoring tight end in Week 4. Donnell was #1 like we thought he would be. Heath Miller of the Pittsburgh Steelers was the tight end that slipped in and took 2nd place for Week 4. Another close call for Mr. Fantasy as Miller outscored J. Graham by .65 of a point. At kicker Mr. fantasy went with another New Orleans Saints player; Shayne Graham. This Graham didn’t do as well for Mr. fantasy as S. Graham finished as the 19th highest scoring kicker of the week. The highest scoring kicker for Week 4 was Blair Walsh of the Minnesota Vikings. For his sleeper pick of Week 4 Mr. Fantasy went with Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater was making his 1st NFL start after coming in to finish the Week 3 game for the injured Matt Cassell. Bridgewater himself got injured in the Vikings 41-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Even with the injury Bridgewater finished as the 13th highest scoring quarterback of the week. I’d have to say this was the best week Mr. Fantasy has had making these picks; so will see if he can keep his momentum going for Week 5.

If you’ve listened t the show you know that we’ve put together fantasy leagues for the upcoming NHL and NBA seasons. We still have a few openings in these leagues. If you’re interested in playing in the hockey league with us follow this link https://yho.com/nhl?l=26209&k=5c41b61fd37e5a63 and sign up. If basketball is more your cup of tea use this link https://yho.com/nba?l=23729&k=78c34b583aa08608 to sign up. Dan the Man and I will be in both of these leagues, but Mr. fantasy is just going to play in the basketball league.

The other game, I have Dan the Man and Mr. Fantasy playing against each other is picking the winners of the MLB playoff games. I’ll also throw in one other thing to pick. I’m scoring it with 2 points for a correct pick and -1 points for a negative selection. Last nights 2nd question was; who would be the winning pitcher. They could’ve picked any pitcher on the teams roster; not just the starting pitcher. After the 1st wild card game Dan the Man has the lead 1 to -2. Dan the Man had the Royals to win the game and James Shields to get the win. While Mr. Fantasy went with the A’s to win the game and Jon Lester to be the winning pitcher. In about an hour an a half (5:00 p.m. CST) they’ll pick tonight’s game between the Pirates and the Giants; they’ll also have to predict who will get more hits Andrew McCutchen or Buster Posey. They are allowed to make the same picks.

Let’s call this.

You can find Sports Time Radio on BlogTalk Radio and you can find me on Twitter @Burketime.

7/9/14 Let’s call it Wednesday

Posted: July 9, 2014 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, basketball, sports, Uncategorized
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The baseball trading deadline is at the end of the month, but the Oakland A’s and the Chicago Cubs got things started on July 5th. The Cubs traded two starting pitchers; Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija to the A’s and received shortstop Addison Russell, Billy McKinney, Dan Straily and a player to be named later or cash considerations. Living in the Chicago area this has been talked about quite a bit. I’ve heard a lot of baseball people say the Cubs got a great deal, but did they? Hammel and Samardzija are top of the rotation pitchers while the Cubs have potential. Straily started the season in the Oakland rotation and was so bad he was optioned to Triple A. McKinney is in Class A ball; that’s a long way away from being in the major league. The best player baseball people say the Cubs got in the deal was shortstop Russell; who was in Double A at the time of the trade and injured. For this trade to come out good on the Cubs end doesn’t Russell have to be a break out major league player? Shouldn’t McKinney at least get the majors and be a solid player. Shouldn’t Straily be a 4th or 5th starter for the Cubs. There are so many if’s involved in this deal for the Cubs I’m not sure you can say it’s good on there end to start with. Now it may work out to be a great deal for the Cubs, but can you call it that way right now or should you wait to call it a great deal. Remember you don’t always get John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander or Mark McGwire for T. J. Matthews, Blake Stein and Eric Ludwick. I gave Cubs fans a break there and they all know what I’m talking about. Or course having Hammel and Samardzija wasn’t going to get the Cubs into the playoffs any time soon; so they might as well move them for prospects who might be major league ready when and or if the Cubs ever improve. Does this trade have to get the A’s into the World Series for it to be a good deal for them? The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim also made a trade on July 5th. The Angels got left-handed pitcher Joe Thatcher and outfielder Tony Campana from the Arizona Diamondbacks for outfielder Zach Borenstein and minor league pitcher Joey Krehbiel. I’m not quite sure if this move by the Angels is equal to the move that the A’s made, but it should make the American League West fun to watch. The Diamondbacks made another trade the next day sending starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy to the New York Yankees for pitcher Vidal Nuno. You have to believe the Yankees where looking for a veteran starting pitcher since it looks more and more like C.C. Sabathia will be lost for the season. The Yankees still have a shot at being a playoff team and they’ll need a veteran starter like McCarthy in their rotation. As the deadline gets closer their will be more and more trades made as team try to get ready for a playoff run.

If you listen to the show you know I’ve been very tough lately on Chris Bosh. Bosh was offered a 4 year $88 million dollar deal by the Houston Rockets and hasn’t taken it yet because he apparently is waiting to see what LeBron James does. If you don’t remember Bosh used to be a Top 10 or maybe even a Top 5 player in the NBA now he’s an after thought in Miami. Bosh’s last year in Toronto he averaged 24.0 points per game. He’s never averaged over 20.0 points per game with Miami. I think Bosh needs to get out of the shadows of James and Dwayne Wade. While Wade isn’t the player he used to be he’ll always be the face of the Miami Heat. Wade was their draft pick and won a title before James and Bosh got their. I’m telling Bosh to go to Houston take that deal and try to win a title with James Harden and Dwight Howard. If Bosh passes up the Rockets deal and signs a veteran exception or whatever the NBA calls it then he’s a coward and he has no confidence in his own ability. It would be sad for Bosh if I thought he had more talent than he thinks he does.

You can find Sports Time Radio on BlogTalk Radio and you can find me on Twitter @Burketime.