1.  I'm sure I'm not the only Yankees' fan saying this, but, GO A'S!!!!!

2.  What did I do to make the layout of this page so weird? How did I screw this up? Sorry, just talking to myself.

3.  There, maybe that fixed it.

4.  i don't know ken. brenneman and lyons is hardly a team to rejoice over.

5.  Did you read the second link? Anybody not named Buck is someone to rejoice over.

6.  On the days I take BART into work -- like today -- I park at the Coliseum BART station. And it will be the weirdest sensation in the world to get off at that station and walk away from where the playoff game is taking place.

Even weirder: I will be watching this game through the miracle of time-shifting, so I will be doing my darndest to avoid learning what's happening at a stadium less than a quarter-mile from where I'm parked.

7.  6 What? You can shift the space-time continuum? I...I never knew!

8.  7 I keep many of my powers under wraps. For society's good as well as my own.

9.  Wow. My life is becoming more like an episode of Heroes every day.

10.  Grr Ken, I read a review of that show in USAtoday 2 weeks ago and I have had that infernal David Bowie song stuck in my head ever since!!

11.  10 Me, too, actually. But there are worse songs to have stuck in your head.

12.  11 "Fashion," for starters.

Well, I'm off to BART now and into my Cone of Silence.

13.  mlb.com is still not working for me! i can't watch the game. arrrrrrrghhhhh.

14.  Philip has obviously never spent any time in Hawai'i, where for years our local TV stations would delay baseball playoff games until after the early news. We'd spend those days avoiding radio stations; our first words when answering telephone calls were "Don't tell me the score!"

Fortunately for those of us who work at home, we now see them live (whoops! Gotta run!).

15.  Hmm. Actually there was no need to avoid radio stations, just the news broadcasts emanating from same.

16.  no foxsports.com, no espn.com either. i don't understand.

17.  5 - aha! what's funny is that, having read the second link i remember reading that article the day it was written. so, fox bucks off, eh?

18.  since the A's won the last series, bucks and all, isn't it safe to conclude that they aren't really cursed?

19.  18 There were Joe Buck commercials, but no one named Buck was a broadcaster for the last series.

20.  Well, Zito looked like Zito in the first inning. Hope he wasn't hurt on that comebacker.

21.  Hey, they just showed a view from Alameda.

22.  i can't tell because i am not actually able to watch the game, but so far on gamechannel this is looking like zito's minnesota game...

23.  Zito looks like he has better control today than in Minnesota, especially with his changeup.

24.  ah. detroit's hitters are just as aggressive though.

25.  Ah, looks like Detroit has a better scouting report on Scutaro than Minnesota did. Keep it low and away.

26.  Ugh. That's just good hitting by Inge. It wasn't a bad pitch.

The pitch to Granderson was a bad pitch, though.

27.  crap.

28.  has zito been ahead of the count on anyone?

29.  I gather untarping would be against some or other mlb rule?

30.  Ugh. Again.

31.  29
It was the A's choice.

32.  This game could be over quickly if Zito doesn't come up big here.

33.  Zito must be nervous

34.  Sigh of relief.

35.  Whew. That coulda been worse.

36.  Zito got out of it cheaply enough.

37.  wow, an 0-2 count!

38.  Zito seemed to be afraid to throw his changeup when he got runners on base. Don't know why he hasn't thrown it more; it's been his best pitch today. He got Guillen with a changeup there.

39.  and he got the out. go figure!

40.  let's see how the A's bounce back

41.  Kendall has looked good in both at bats.

42.  can Milton Bradley deliver?

43.  Ugh. Not our day today so far.

44.  guess not

45.  ARRRRRRGH.

46.  Ump is not calling the curve for strikes.

Crap.

47.  They're sitting on the changeup now, since that's the only pitch he's getting over.

48.  is it time to hang our heads yet?

49.  Get Kennedy ready?

50.  this is disgusting.

51.  the Tigers look like there on a mission

52.  Jimenez your job is to play defense!

53.  Oh, man, we miss Ellis now.

54.  Jerry Crawford is probably the worst possible umpire assignment for Zito.

thepastime.net/2006/10/alcs-umpire-preview.html

55.  i just noticed that b.inge spells binge.

56.  Time to warm up Blanton, I think.

57.  Nope, Gaudin.

58.  Zito has had two runs score that shouldn't have.

59.  Should have gotten him up much sooner.

60.  Gaudin would be an odd choice for an umpire with a small strike zone.

61.  Time to warm up Blanton, I think.

he's the little version of Brad Penny right?

62.  i miss spacious parks like the colisioum (?)

63.  Time to pull Zito.

64.  yeah, he's registered 5 runs. macha equation says it's time to go.

65.  I wonder what Zito & Boras are thinking right now?

66.  60 I agree. But maybe they're afraid they'll need him in Game 3 if Harden doesn't have it.

67.  i'm wondering how many come from behind wins the A's have this year

68.  [65] i don't know what boras is thinking, but i'd like to hope that zito is thinking more about the A's playoff chances than his contract.

69.  {68}

very true

70.  If only we could give Big Hurt leg transplants.

71.  look at those fighting A's!

72.  Time for Nate Robertson to earn some clutch...

73.  2 strikeouts with runners on 2nd and 3rd. that's disappointing; i was looking for a very creative double play ball.

74.  No magic today for Marco.

75.  well that's not good for A's fans

76.  Nice big strike zone, the ump must want to go watch BOSTON LEGAL at 10pm!

77.  76
He must have a bet on Tito Ortiz against Shamrock.

78.  I wonder how many people actually read Moneyball that mention it.

79.  [73] on the other hand, entire side striking out against nate robertson is pretty impressive too.

80.  that's now 4 out of 5 innings the A's have gotten the leadoff man on, with nary a run to show for it.

81.  Jim Leyland wears spikes while managing. weird.

82.  Gotta make 'em burn Zumaya for two innings tonight, if nothing else.

83.  they gotta score now no? 3rd time's the charm.

84.  Lou Pinnella: terrible color man, or worst color man?

85.  hahahahah oh man.

86.  This is a total butt-kicking.

87.  84
When he says something dumber than 22 hrs do not mean much if you only get 43 rbi then yes, but until then Joe Morgan still wins.

88.  84

he gives McCarver a run for his money (avious meter galore)

89.  So is he just terrible.

90.  well .... if the guy hits solo hrs and doesn't hit well with men on base, then it almost makes sense for him to state that

91.  Unbelievable: 3 double plays, and an inning with 3 straight Ks with RISP. Detroit is playing exactly the kind of ball I expected from Oakland. Man, watching two tight teams is not fun when the one you support stops being tight.

92.  what's an avious meter?

93.  I should think that is pretty obvious Vish...

94.  92

obvious, oops sorry.

95.  So is he just terrible.

true, but he kicks dirt at home plate with the best of 'em.

96.  The A's have turned into the Twins. Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes.

97.  [93] yeah, if the game was going better i wouldn't have asked ;)

98.  anyone mind explaining ordonez' "single to third" in the 3rd inning, and granderson's "single to first" just now?

99.  Well, hopefully, the A's have decided to get all their sloppiness out today...as well as repaying all the good karma they've had in the first 3 games. A broken finger was not enough apparently...

100.  98 A ball just off Chavez' glove, and Kennedy didn't get over to first base to cover the bag.

101.  Fox Trax Sux

102.  i guess being a color guy demands you to be obvious, did you guys here Lou Pinella just now?

103.  [100] ah, thanks. tsk, tsk.

104.  Re.96:
Exactly what I was thinking. This is normally how the A's get their opponents to lose. Very irritating to see us getting some of that medicine.

BTW, anyone know what happened to Chris Shelton? I thought I heard some grumbles of discontent from the blogosphere when he was demoted in favor of Sean Casey in spite of getting off to a homer-happy start. If Casey's hurt now, will we see an actually better Chris Shelton?

105.  102

"that was a nice tight curve ball by Kennedy"

106.  Shelton isn't on the roster.

107.  At least Thom has not mentioned the D-Backs 5 times yet.

108.  This would be a good time for Chavez to launch one.

109.  i don't think the FOX gun is accurate.

110.  I don't feel good about the Chavvy walk. All it does is set up another freaking DP.

111.  this would be a nice time for Swisher to launch one

112.  Swisher is more likely just to strike out than hit into a DP.

113.  110 I was gonna ask, do the As just not put runners in motion to avoid DPs? After what, 3 of them tonight, would they change their mind?

114.  i refuse to think the FOX guns is accurate

115.  Can't buy a clutch hit.

116.  113 No, and no.

117.  if anything Lou Pinella is making me chuckle.

118.  My hotel in Sapporo does not carry the channel that is showing this game. I'm listening to the A's radio broadcast.

119.  118

you're missing out Bob, Lou Pinella is on a roll.

120.  Aaaaaaaaaand, we're back in real time.

That was an unpleasant TiVo experience, let me tell you.

121.  I suppose I shouldn't have worn my Detroit Tigers t-shirt today.

It's very wet now. That might have something to do with the fact that it's raining here and the trains were all stuffy and humid to boot.

122.  You know the problem with no longer watching this on TiVo? I now have to listen to the Fox announcers.

Ye gods...

123.  121

what time is it out there Bob?

124.  It is noon in Japan.

125.  I should also add that it's noon on Wednesday. I've seen the future! And it's somewhat soggy and full of North Korean nuclear tests.

126.  english shot by Kendal!!

127.  Man, both Bob and Philip can bend time. Can you make time go backwards so we can play this game over?

128.  Ricky Henderson sighting.

129.  Four double plays. Sigh.

130.  127 Ever since Superman pulled that stunt in the first movie, I've disdained it.

131.  do the A's fall victim of DP's this bad all the time??

132.  Lou Pinella on Joe Blanton: "He's a pitcher."

Thank God. I thought he was a welder.

133.  131 - they led the AL with 170.

134.  And now begins the greatest comeback in A's history.

135.  132

hey easy my Dad was a welder.

ps but yeah obvious meter galore.

136.  Do the Tigers really not have some Jason Grilli type innings-eater they can use in this situation instead of Zumaya??

137.  133

wow

138.  133 And they didn't even have Ben Grieve in their lineup!

139.  This A-Rod Pepsi commercial where he's offered a job in the beverage distribution industry takes on special poignancy these days.

140.  134

Umm...

What about the 10-run inning in the 1929 World Series when the A's overcame an 8-0 deficit to the Cubs in the 8th?

141.  136
You don't want to eat innings here. You want to win the game.

142.  Re.131:
Bluebleeder, I would say no: somewhat bad, but not THIS bad - from just my memory. In fact, I thought they hustled enough to just stay out of enough DPs to keep things going. But these commentators are making a big deal out of the A's season DP numbers, so maybe this is not too far out of the norm for Oakland. I guess it's possible that the team is not prepared enough or amped up enough since they basically accomplished their goal already (1st round barrier). Also, the Detroit pitchers and hitters do seem to be particularly well-prepared/scout-informed compared to the Twins (example, the way they pitch to Scooter, Swisher, etc).

143.  ATHLETICS 7TH: Simmons homered; Foxx singled to right; Miller
singled to center [Foxx to second]; Dykes singled to left [Foxx
scored, Miller to second]; Boley singled to right [Miller
scored, Dykes to third]; BURNS BATTED FOR ROMMEL; Burns popped
to shortstop; Bishop singled to center [Dykes scored, Boley to
third]; NEHF REPLACED ROOT (PITCHING); Haas hit an inside the
park homer to center [Boley scored, Bishop scored]; Cochrane
walked; BLAKE REPLACED NEHF (PITCHING); Simmons singled to left
[Cochrane to second]; Foxx singled [Cochrane scored, Simmons to
second]; MALONE REPLACED BLAKE (PITCHING); Miller was hit by a
pitch [Simmons to third, Foxx to second]; Dykes doubled to left
[Simmons scored, Foxx scored, Miller to third]; Boley struck
out; Burns struck out; 10 R, 10 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Cubs 8,
Athletics 10.

144.  140 You're telling me Sheriff Blake is the moral equivalent of Joel Zumaya?

Besides, every time the A's are trailing in the eighth by more than 3 ones, I say, "And so begins the greatest comeback in A's history."

And when it actually pans out, I'm going to look like a freakin' genius.

145.  Woah wait why is Guillen at 1B??

146.  145 Sean Casey was assumed bodily into heaven.

And he tweaked his back on a swing.

147.  Casey got hurt.

148.  121. I will be disappointed if Bob wears the checkered jersey tomorrow.

149.  146
That can't be. It's not August 15.

150.  146 Calf, not back.

151.  150 Ah yes. Calf. Sorry.

152.  148
I didn't pack the checkered jersey. Although the AL Wild Card team is doing well.

153.  152 You mean you didn't need it to help you stand out in a crowd?

154.  And now continues the greatest comebac... aw forget it.

155.  the A's need a Dodger vs Padres type inning here.

156.  OK, I'm hoping that Macha pinch-hits for Jimenez, and then the A's tie it up, and Mark Kiger makes his major league debut in extra-innings in a playoff game.

157.  hope runs iternal

158.  Well, I suppose a double play here would be a fitting way to end this game.

159.  Thom Brennaman on Todd Jones: "One of the most engaging guys you'll ever meet."

Well, unless you're gay.

http://tinyurl.com/nqylo

160.  So close.

161.  We can't even get that.

162.  Oh, well. We'll see if I can bring 'em some luck tomorrow.

163.  Inge will be praiced tomorrow by all Detriot news outlet's.

164.  162 Exactly. 5-1. 3-2. 200-2. All losses count the same, and tomorrow is another day.

165.  Re.162:
How're you going to do that, Ken? Gotta to do a double-play fast! Head to the concessions stand every time the A's get a runner on base...

166.  162

you're A's mojo must be really good while attending games.

167.  DodgerSims blogspot had the Tigers with a .536 pythagorean probability of winning tonight's game. Tomorrow's prediction/sim will be up within the hour. Cards are slight favorites tomorrow assuming Floyd is not playing. vr, Xei

168.  Tomorrow's sim prediction:
A's pythagorean win expectancy is .545
Good luck tomorrow A's fans. vr, Xei
http://DodgerSims.blogspot.com/