I’m Still Nervous
2006-09-21 15:52
With the A’s victory today versus Cleveland, the A’s hold a seven game lead over the Angels, with ten to play.
And yet, the Angels still control their own destiny. They don’t need any help from any other team to win the AL West. How weird is that?
If the Angels win their last ten games, they will finish no worse than a tie for first place.
* * *
Man, seeing Rich Harden back out there again was sweet. Seven strikeouts in three innings? Wow. When I watch batters swing through that 87mph changeup, I just get all giddy happy. Please, please, please stay healthy.
1. Look outside Ken. Note that you are not in Boston or Philadelphia.
Cease worrying.
2. I am impressed by the way the A's have played as late, seems like they keep the game close for Frankie or Miltie or someone else, (Marco) to deliver the big hit.
I agree with Bob, I think it will be over this weekend, if anything to make up for 2004. I don't remember where the Angels clinched in 2005.
3. Remember, you're talking to a guy who, the last time his team won the World Series, it was interrupted by a 7.0 earthquake. Even when things go right, things go wrong.
I much prefer the calm days of July and August to the do-or-die drama of September and October.
So please don't say the world "Philadelphia" in my presence. That word reminds me that the word "Macha" sounds an awful lot like "Mauch", and when I think "Mauch" and "Philadelphia", I think "all-time pennant-race choke jobs."
4. 2 Perhaps this will serve to remind you:
catfishstew.baseballtoaster.com/archives/264285.html
5. how was harden's fastball and ghost splitter looking?
6. 5 Like he hadn't missed a day.
Actually, his control was a bit off on the fastball. He had a lot of deep counts. But that's not entirely unusual for him, anyway.
I'm not sure he threw all his pitches. Seemed to be mostly fastball/changeup, but it's hard to tell his changeup from his splitter sometimes, so I don't know.
7. I actually thought Harden was a fastball+splitter pitcher primarily, but the TV announcers I base my guess on are not particularly consistent or careful in their use of terminology, so whatever...splitting hairs...
I'm a bit conflicted about Harden's return - of course the pitches are absolutely dazzling; but (if the games were actually on the frikking TV) , I'd be nervously scanning him for signs of pain after every pitch.
8. 7 It's very difficult to tell the difference between Harden's changeup and his splitter in real time. He throws both; they're both about the same speed, so the only way you can tell for sure in real time is that if he bounces it, it's probably a splitter. Otherwise, the only way to tell for sure is to get a slomo on his grip.
But you're right, I think he usually throws more splitters than changeups.