Tag: texas rangers

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s and Rangers open four game series tonight in Arlington

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Oakland A’s starter Frankie Montas gets the start against the Texas Rangers tonight to open a four game series at the BallPark in Arlington ( file photo from the Mercury News)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, in the second game of the series against the New York Yankees, Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela took a part of the splintered bat in the eye which bounced off and he came out of it alright later hitting the go ahead game home run.

#2 The A’s opened the series in New York on Friday with a win when A’s pitcher James Kaprielian pitched 5.2 innings and picked up the victory 5-3 against his old teammates the Yankees. Kaprielian was the Yankees second round draft choice six years ago and he got to beat his old team to open the series it had to be pretty special for him.

#3 Barbara just checking the injured list the A’s pitcher right hand pitcher J.B. Wendelken who has a strained left Oblique is in Las Vegas for a minor league rehab assignment and Wendelken is looking forward to working his way back into the bullpen setting in Oakland.

#4 Oakland outfielder Stephen Piscotty is suffering from a left wrist injury and will see a specialist in Arizona and has been placed on the ten day injured list. Piscotty is a vital part of the A’s offense and is hitting .217, with 28 hits, four home runs and 11 RBIs so far this season.

#5 The A’s open up a four game series in Texas starting tonight against the Rangers, starting for the A’s Frankie Montas (7-6 ERA 4.21) and for the Rangers Kyle Gibson (4-0 ERA 2.09) how do you see this match up to open the series.

Join Barbara Mondays for the A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

11th inning single puts the Holt in Rangers 4-3 win over Giants

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The Texas Rangers Brock Holt gets congratulations from teammate Isiah Kiner-Falefa for getting the 11th inning walk off single against the San Francisco Giants at the Ball Park in Arlington on Wed Jun 9, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants lost 4-3 in extra innings to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Wednesday afternoon, missing the chance to walk away with another series victory.

San Francisco had a one-run lead in the ninth inning but blew the chance to win when a grounder got infield. After a stolen base and bad hit, the Rangers tied the game.

The Giants made a run first in the 10th inning, but the Rangers also scored. In the 11th inning, Texas did not allow San Francisco to score and then Brock Holt got a two-out RBI single to give the Rangers the 4-3 win. The loss for the Giants was particularly surprising because they have the best record in the MLB at 38-22, while the Rangers at 23-39 are in last place in the AL West.

San Francisco used Zack Littell as the starting pitcher – his first opener since 2018 – before putting lefty Sammy Long in. Long struck out seven in four innings in his major league debut for San Francisco.

He allowed a run on one hit, a double by Eli White, in the sixth inning, and walked one. Long threw 47 of 69 pitches for strikes. Long, who stopped playing baseball after the Tampa Bay Rays released him three years ago, said he felt great on the mound.

‘That was above and beyond right there on,’ Long said. ‘Just felt like I was in my element.’

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said he didn’t think they could have drawn it up any better for Long.

‘I thought he was poised, obviously used all of his weapons, able to execute all of them for strikes,’ Kapler said. ‘The line is incredibly impressive for the first time out at the major league level.’

The Giants beat the Rangers on Tuesday, 9-4. They still hold the best record in the NL. The Giants start a four-game series against the Washington Nationals on Thursday at Nationals Park. First pitch is at 4:05 p.m.

Tauchman hits a grand slam in Giants win 9-4

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The San Francisco Giants Mike Tauchman (29) connects for an eighth inning grand slam home run off Texas Rangers pitcher Josh Sborz on Tue Jun 8, 2021 in Arlington (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

Mike Tauchman gave the allegiance of San Francisco Giants fans much to cheer about on one swing of the bat.

Tauchman lined his first grand slam of his career into the first row of the right field seats, helping the Giants to a come-from-behind 9-4 victory over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.

Lufkin, Texas native Brandon Belt got the eighth inning rally started, as he singled to lead off the inning, then Brandon Crawford walked and after Wilmer Flores struck out for the first out of the inning, Steven Duggar walked to load the bases. That was enough for Joely Rodriguez, as he was replaced by Josh Sborz, who got Donovan Solano to line out to Isian Kiner-Falefa for the second out of the inning.

On a 3-1 pitch to Tauchman, Sborz threw a four-seam fastball that ended up in the seats to give the Giants the lead for good and to get that monkey off their back, as they could not get a break with runners on base, as they were 1-for-9 prior to the Tauchman grand slam.

Jose Alvarez got the final two outs of the seventh inning to pick up his second win of the season. Alvarez came on with two on and one out, but was able to get out of the jam.

Alvarez then gave way to Jake McGee, who pitched a perfect eighth inning, as he got three ground balls to end the frame and then Dominic Leone got the final three outs of the game to secure to huge win to start this road trip.

Alex Wood ended up getting the no-decision, as he went 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits, walking three and striking out two.

Brandon Crawford, who became the Giants all-time leader in games played by a shortstop broke the game wide open in the top of the ninth inning, as he his second home run of the game and 14th of the season, when he hit a three-run home run off of Rangers reliever Taylor Hearn.

Buster Posey singled with one out in the inning, then Belt picked up his third hit of the night and then Crawford hit a Hearn offering into the right-center field seats.

Crawford gave the Giants a short lived 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning, as he hit a solo home run off of Rangers starter Jordan Lyles that landed near where his second home run landed in the top of the ninth inning.

It was a tough no-decision for Lyles, who went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walking three and striking out three.

The Giants took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, as Duggar reached on a fielding error by Nate Lowe at first base that scored Belt.

Unfortunately, that lead did not last long at all, as Joey Gallo hit his 11th home run of the season to tie up the game.

Adolis Garcia tied up the game after Crawford hit his first home run of the game, as he doubled to left field that scored Kiner-Falefa. Nick Solak then gave the Rangers the lead, as he doubled to score Willie Calhoun and Garcia and things were looking good for the Rangers until that fateful eighth inning.

LaMonte Wade, Jr., went three-for-five, as he continues to lead off for the Giants, while Belt returned to the lineup also picked up three hits and walked; however, the biggest hit of the night was the Tauchman grand slam that gave the Giants the lead for good.

NOTES: Belt was activated prior to the game, as he missed the previous 11 games with a left oblique strain. To make room for Belt, Camilo Doval was optioned to Sacramento following the game on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs.

With the victory, the Giants have won 10 out of their last 13 games.

The Giants are now 20-13 on the road, good enough for the fourth-best road record in the major leagues.

By hitting three more home runs, the Giants have now hit 59 home runs on the road, and have multiple home runs in six straight road games, tying the third longest streak in team history.

Crawford passed Travis Jackson for the most games played by a Giants shortstop, and was acknowledged by the crowd, as he went on the field in the bottom of the first inning alone. Crawford doffed his cap to the crowd, and eventually his teammates came out on the field to greet him.

Alex Dickerson was forced to leave the game with back tightness after he struck out in his second at-bat.

UP NEXT: Sammy Long will make his major-league debut on Wednesday afternoon, as he takes the mound for the Giants. Long grew up in Sacramento, and first went to Rosemont High School before transferring to Del Campo High School and ended up being the Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2014 and was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, as he went 8-2 with a 3.03 earned for Sacramento State.

The Rangers will send their ace Kyle Gibson to the mound, as he looks to improve to 5-0 on the season.

Giants, Webb knock off Rangers 4-2; SF best record in baseball 22-14

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By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Tuesday, May 11, 2021

San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb picked up the win against the Texas Rangers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue May 11, 2021 (@SFGiants photo)

San Francisco got a quality start from Logan Webb on Tuesday, as the Giants defeated Texas 4-2 in interleague play at Oracle Park.

Webb struck out a career-high 10 in six innings as the Giants swept the two-game set from the Rangers, who are 0-5 against National League opponents this season.

Webb (2-3) earned his first win in his last three starts. He surrendered two runs and three hits. Jake McGee threw a perfect ninth inning for his 10th save.

Brandon Belt and Mike Yastrzemski each drove in runs for San Francisco.

Rangers starter Jordan Lyles (1-3) gave up two runs in five innings, while logging six strikeouts. Lyles won his first start of 2021, but has since dropped three straight decisions.

David Dahl hit his third home run of the season for the Rangers. His shot to left-center cut the Giants’ lead to 4-2. But the San Francisco bullpen responded with three scoreless innings.

Joey Gallo’s run-scoring groundout gave Texas a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Giants responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the first on an RBI double by Yastrzemski and a base hit by Belt,

San Francisco added two more runs in the sixth on Texas third baseman Charlie Culberson’s throwing error.

The Rangers were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, helping San Francisco maintain MLB’s best home record at 14-4. The Giants have won five of their last six games at Oracle Park, but are 8-10 on the road,

Belt left the game in the eighth inning with what was called “mild tightness” in his left side. Giants manager Gabe Kapler called the move “precautionary.” San Francisco second baseman Donovan Solano, who has been on the injured list since April 22 with a calf strain, took BP and ground balls on Monday. He’s expected to go on a rehab assignment while the Giants are on the road.

The Giants open a four-game series in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (2-1, 2.40) will start the series opener for San Francisco,

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The Texas Factor – A Near Full House at Arlington

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The Texas Rangers home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays drew 38,000 fans on Mon Apr 5, 2021. That was way over the recommended amount of fans other teams were allowing in. (AP News photo)

The Texas Factor – A Near Full House at Arlington 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

On Monday April 5, the Texas Rangers on their first ever regular season game at their new park Globe Life Field drew at least 38,000 fans. Although this might look as an “unusual” Opening Day during this pandemic, this was authorized by their local officials.

MLB teams do not determine how many people are allowed inside their stadiums, it’s all left to their State, County and City. Most owners detested the idea of empty stadium in 2020 and now in 2021 in some places (like Texas) things are opening-up as the cases of covid diminished in numbers.

The attendance was not a shocker to anybody; Texas was the first State in the Union to announce the removal of lock downs and the Texas Rangers the first MLB club to announce they will be allowing a capacity for their first game at home this season.

In Texas all reports point that coronavirus cases and death have collapsed since Governor Greg Abbott replaced their State’s mask mandate. As with everything these days all this has become political in nature as many Democratic politicians opposed Gov Abbott as they predicted Texas cases and death will rise as a result of the Governor’s decision, however that did not happened in Texas.

At the end of the story, it doesn’t matter what the politicians say, because the politicians do not buy the tickets, it is up to the people who have the last word to attend a baseball game and is only the people/fans that actually buy the tickets and attend to the games.

If the fans are “ok” with the park opening to a full capacity they have the freedom to attend and purchase their tickets regardless what anybody else says. And just because officials remove restrictions, you can still wear a mask in Texas if you wish. At the end it all boils down to personal decisions.

We are all individuals, not a herd of cattle. Carl Sandburg is a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, journalist, editor, biographer of Abraham Lincoln and he once wrote this about the State of Texas: “Texas is a blend of valor and swagger”. The final score, Blue Jays 6 Rangers 2. The Texas Rangers are in a rebuilding mode and this year there is not a lot of hope in Arlington.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amuary Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for Oakland A’s flagship station 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2021 Opening Day Hangover from Covid

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The Oakland A’s Matt Chapman running the bases in this spring training photo on Feb 22, 2021. Played only 37 out of 60 regular season games last year. Is looking to play the full season this year. (AP News photo)

2021 Opening Day: Hangover from Covid

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The hangover from covid could be coming to an end this next Thursday on April 1. Opening Day. Hangovers typically go away within 24 hours, but 24 hours can feel like an eternity. The last 12 plus months have been an eternity in our lives, but baseball is coming to the rescue, and this hangover is just about done. Baseball is like the proverbial bowl of Menudo, that many believe is the best “cure” for a hangover.

April 1, 2021, will mark the first time since 1968 that all major league teams open their season (all 30) on the same day. Last year was a 60-game sprint this year should be the regular 162-game marathon, one thing that makes baseball unique among all major sports.

This is how I see the American League West this year (how they will finish):

1- Oakland Athletics: Although they lost some key pieces this off-season like Marcus Semien (Jays) Liam Hendricks (White Sox) Tommy LaStella (Giants) Robbie Grossman (Tigers) Joaquim Soria (Arizona) Khris Davis (Texas) and pitcher Mike Minor to Kansas City, they still hungry after elimination by the Houston Astros in the AL Division Series.

The A’s on their division without their star third-baseman Matt Chapman who played part time in 37 of the 60 game-season. Their pitching rotation still young, specially their starters, with real breakout potential, Jesús Luzardo, Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montás, and A.J Puk, Puk’s gone through Tommy John and shoulder surgeries in the last four years, but had a terrific Spring Training.

Mike Fiers could give them more experience on the mound, but he will begin season on the Injured List with left hip inflammation. Towards the end of the off season they did picked-up veteran shortstop Elvis Andrus from Texas, together with catcher Aramis García (who played for the Giants in 2020) he is the #2 catcher behind regular Sean Murphy.

Revamped their bullpen early in the post season with left handed pitcher Nik Turley from the Pirates, veteran reliever Sergio Romo (Twins) and closer Trevor Rosenthal who pitched for the Padres last season, to a one year deal for $11 million, plus lefty Adam Kolarek from the Dodgers, while retaining Jake Diekman, Yusmeiro Petit and Lou Trivino.

To replace the vacant DH position for Khris Davis, the A’s acquired veteran first-baseman and DH Mitch Moreland. Jed Lowrie is back and he could be alternating at second base with Tony Kemp or ‘all around’ utility extraordinaire Chad Pinder. Ramón Laureano, Elvis Andrus, Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Jed Lowrie, Stephen Piscotty, Mark Canha, young-talented catcher Sean Murphy, they should have enough offense.

A new name in town, will be 26 year-old outfielder Ka’ai Tom, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, who made the team during last week of Spring Training. Why the A’s did not keep their home-born favorite player Marcus Semien, who signed for 1-year in Toronto for $18 million, I still do not understand. Bob Melvin is one of the best managers in the game and in my opinion very underrated.

2- Los Angeles Angels: Finished ten games behind the Athletics and in fourth place. They have one of the best one-two punches of any line-up in baseball with Mike Trout (the best player in baseball) and Anthony Rendón. And a supporting cast of future Hall of Famers: Albert Pujols (his last year of his 10-year contract) Justin Upton, David Fletcher, plus two veterans acquired this winter slick-fielding shortstop José Iglesias and outfielder Dexter Fowler, who is an insurance policy for the club, while young Jo Adell will begin the season in their minor leagues.

After a breakout rookie year, young Jared Walsh is expected to be their first baseman, most of the time over veteran Albert Pujols. The pitching still a big question mark . They were mentioned as the favorite destination for right-hander Trevor Bauer, the NL Cy Young Award winner last season, but he decided to go a few miles up north on Hwy 5 and signed with the LA Dodgers.

The Angels rotation with Shohei Ohtani (who will also be a DH) Andrew Heaney, Dylan Bundy, Griffin Canning, Alex Cobb and new acquisition José Quintana. Any combination of those six should be their starting rotation. José Quintana was an interesting acquisition, he was starting pitcher for the Cubs but suffered a thumb injury on his left hand while washing dishes at his Miami home and only pitched in five games for the Cubs, starting only one game, he has good stuff and could be a key factor for the Halos.

Weakness is depth of starting pitching. Their offense should be formidable, led by Mike Trout. If anybody could surprise here and challenge the A’s, is this team, with their great manager Joe Maddon. They finished in fourth place a third place finish is a conservative pick.

However, if their pitching performs well, they could rival the Athletics for the division title. I think the Angels are the most interesting team in this division. Mike Trout has only made it to one playoff since 2014. For a while I pondered about where they will end the season. Pick’ em for second place.

3- Houston Astros: The Astros would had continued to be the Athletics biggest foe, until they lost Frember Valdéz to a Spring Training injury and subsequent surgery, he will miss most of this season. Pitching star and Número Uno starter Justin Verlander underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on Sept. 30, 2020, and he is doubtful to pitch during the 2021 season.

Verlander is a two-time Cy Young winner and future member of the Hall of Fame. Everyday he is not pitching, it would represent a big advantage to the Athletics, not to mention the other teams in the West. The starting rotation; Zack Greinke (who was their best pitcher last season) and will open the season for the club, Lance McCullers Jr, José Urquidy, Cristian Javier, who finished third in the running for Rookie of the Year in 2020.

Their bullpen is not their best department, although they picked up veteran reliever Pedro Báez who was with the Dodgers since 2014. Their offense still excellent. Even without George Springer, who signed a 6 year $150 million contract with Toronto, the Astros still have one of the best lineups, with José Altuve, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, Michael Brantley, Yuli Guriel, Josh Reddick, Kyle Tucker and the return of their young slugger and Designated Hitter Jordan Alvarez (23) whose knee is healthy, he is the key in this powerful lineup, if he stays healthy, watch out.

The Astros escaped the wrath of the fans in 2020, with no fans allowed, after their sign-stealing scandal the previous season. Ironically, the covid pandemic helped the Astros in that regard. But, it is not like this happened 20 years ago, so it would be interesting to see the fans reaction during this season.

They are still a very good team, now with 38-year old Opening Night starter Zack Greinke, but the Astros will begin the season with a wounded rotation. Dusty Baker back at the helm trying to go deeper in the post season, as they were eliminated after they took the Atléticos in the Divisional Series.

Dusty with 1,892 wins is #15 in the old-time manager’s winning list and second among active managers to Tony LaRussa, back with the White Sox as manager, Tony is #3 all time manager with 2,728 wins.

The last team the A’s played last season, Houston, will be the first they play this year. Third place is the place for the kids from the “Space Center”. But do not bet on it.

4-Seattle Mariners: Center fielder Kyle Lewis won the AL Rookie of the Year getting all 30 votes. The Mariners could use a few more like Lewis in their lineup. Their veteran third baseman Kyle Seager led the club with 40 RBIs. Their No.5 prospect Taylor Trammell could open the season as their rookie left-fielder.

Just days before Spring Training veteran lefty James Paxton came back after pitching for the Yankees last year to join the team he had played who drafted him in 2010 and played for since 2013. Paxton is now part of their pitching rotation headed last season by lefty veteran Marco González with a 7-2 and 3.10 ERA in 11 games started, Yusei Jikuchi, Justus Sheffield, Justin Dunn.

There is no Mariano Rivera in the Seattle bullpen, but there is nobody remotely close to a Mariano Rivera anyway. They are not better than the A’s, Astros or Angels, so they should probably dock their ship in fourth place. Any finish above sea level for these Mariners should be a big improvement.

Last year they finished in third place with 27-33, actually not that bad. Seattle is a great city, with great regional fans, they come from hundreds of miles north, south, east and west, even from another country, Canada, to one of the best baseball facilities in MLB, Safeco Field. They remain the only team in this division never to have made it to a World Series, since their first season in 1977. They are definitely not going to a World Series this year.

5-Texas Rangers: They built a new park last season, Globe Life Field, a $1.1 billion retractable Texas palace (that is the value of the Oakland A’s franchise today) The Rangers still have not played a regular season game at their new digs.

The 2020 World Series was played there last year, and their first home game is scheduled for April 5, against the Toronto Blue Jays. That will be the first time they will play at their palatial new ballpark. Nobody would envy the job of manager Chris Woodward with these Texas Rangers.

They lost two of their star regular players in Elvis Andrus (A’s) and Nomar Mazara (Tigers). Rougned Odor had a tough season, hit .167 in 38 games, still hit ten home runs and drove-in 28 runs. They still have Joey Gallo (who every year is mentioned as possible bait for a big trade) Still have Isah Kiner-Falefa, and newcomers, Khris Davis, Nate Lowe and David Dahl.

Starters in their rotation; Kyle Gibson, Mike Foltynewicz, Dane Dunning, and Kohei Arihara. Best they can hope is a fourth place finish same as last season when they ended with 22-38, 14 games behind the division champion Athletics. I think the Mariners will push for the cellar.

One of my old friends favorite saying was “the more things change, the more they stay the same”, they finished last in 2020 and should do same this year. Biggest positive for their fans in 2021, their new ballpark was to be inaugurated in 2020, but covid-19 derailed that possibility, but not this year.

Texas was first State in the country lo lift their lock-down restrictions and this team was first in MLB to announce they will sell all 40,000 seat plus for their first game of the season at home. Good Luck to the Rangers, they are going to need it.

Notes: The Oakland Athletics will open their 53rd season at Oakland this Thursday during a 7-game home stand, when they host the Houston Astros in the first of four games to be followed with three games against the World Champions Los Angeles Dodgers.

Opening Night: Bob Melvin will send Chris Bassitt to the mound, while Dusty Baker inked his veteran Zack Greinke to open the season. In case you are counting. It has been 32 years since the last time the Athletics won a World Series, when they swept the San Francisco Giants in the famous “Earthquake World Series” in 1989.

First pitch 7:07 960AM-A’s Cast—(Spanish) KIQI 1010/KATD 990AM Bay Area and Sacramento/Stockton — TV- NBCSCA

Did You Know? Charlie O Finley owner of the Oakland Athletics said he chose ‘green and gold’ for the uniforms in honor of his favorite college football team Notre Dame.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s on radio 1010 KIQI La Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Rangers announce capacity for opening day; What are the risks?

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Opening day in Texas as the Texas Rangers line up on the foul lines at Globe Life Field in Arlington TX on July 24, 2020. The Rangers expect a full house for Opening Day Apr 5, 2021 but mask wearing enforced. (AP News file photo)

Texas Rangers Announce Capacity for Opening Day

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Texas Rangers are the first team to announce that Globe Life Field will be open for the full capacity when they play their first game of the 2021 season at home against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 5.

Although every seat will be available for 40,518 fans, fans will be required to wear masks. Also, they will be required to maintain social distancing while they enter and exit the stadium as well as standing in line at concession stands.

This includes their two final exhibition games as well. For this Opening Day in Texas the team announced that they are going to sell tickets in “pods”.

Therefore, the Texas Rangers are the first professional team to open to a full capacity since the beginning of the Covid-10 pandemic. The front office also announced they are working with Major League Baseball on other protocols regarding player health and their safety.

With populations of approximately 30 million, Texas is the second most populous State in the country behind California.

The Oakland Athletics announce they are planning for a limited capacity at 20 percent to start of their season opener April 1 at the Oakland Coliseum vs. the Houston Astros, while the San Francisco Giants will soon announce their plans for fans allowed. The San Francisco Giants open season on the road and their home opener will take place on April 9 vs. the Colorado Rockies.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for his weekly podcast of That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: For 2020 Predictions Los Atleticos My predictions for this upcoming 2020 season

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file photo from sfchronicle.com: Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien fields a grounder by San Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey, who was out at first during a baseball game in San Francisco. Semien will look to build momentum from a career season that included being top three in the AL MVP voting. He was rewarded with a new $13 million, one-year contract to avoid arbitration, a raise of $7.1 million

2020 Predictions: Los Atléticos

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

My predictions for this upcoming 2020 season.

(American League West)

1-Oakland Athletics 2-Houston Astros 3-Los Angeles Angels 4-Texas Rangers 5-Seattle Mariners

Oakland A’s  (Offense) This is the year everything will come together for the Athletics. For the second year in a row finished with an excellent 97-65 record and behind the Houston Astros. They will catch and pass the scandal-riddled Houston Astros.

A’s are a powerful offensive force with numbers that do the talking. Among all 30 teams,the A’s finished fifth in home runs with 257,number eight in runs scored 845 and number ninth in runs driven-in with 800.

The team of the greatest base stealer ever, and in my opinion the best all-around player in the history of the Oakland A’s,Rickey Henderson who stole 1,406 bases during a stellar Hall of Fame career,only stole 49 bases last season,which put them close to the bottom,only three teams in baseball stole less bases.

But nobody is perfect,that is not their game, only the Giants, Twins and Cubs stole less bases than the A’s. Unfortunately (if you are old school) at this time in history where 30 homers for a player is “normal” and many say boring,the stolen base is like the bunt,”Breaking News”when it happens.

(Pitching) Bob Melvin A’s had the sixth best earned run average for a pitching staff in baseball with 3.97. Only Astros, Dodgers, Rays, Indians and Cardinals showed a better ERA. Their 2020 staff is one of the youngest and most talented in the game. Sean Manaea, Jesús Luzardo, Frankie Montás, A,J Puk, Mike Fiers starting and leading the way.

(Bullpen) Liam Hendriks (25 saves and 1.80 ERA),who took over Blake Treinen as closer was robbed of the Reliever of the Year Award by New York Yankee closer Aroldis Chapman,but was one of the reasons the A’s got to the AL Wild Card game.

The only reason Hendriks did not win the award is because he pitches for the A’s and Chapman for the Yankees. The market was the deciding factor. However,the Astros had the top bullpen in the AL West and third best in baseball last year with ERA (3.75) and batting average against (.226). Roberto Osuna led the Astros with 38 saves,second in baseball only to San Diego’s Kirby Yates with 41.

(Defense) Los Atléticos finished tied with the Atlanta Braves as the fourth best defensive team in baseball,with a .987 fielding percentage. and committed total of 80 errors,only Cardinals,Royals, Houston and Braves committed less. It all starts with the Golden Corners; Matt Chapman and Matt Olson, both Gold Glove winners,plus a mostly improved Marcus Semien at shortstop,and very a talented outfield with Ramón Laureano in center field. Ramón’s arm is one of the best – nobody runs on him.

2020 A’s are very similar to 2019.The second base position still wide open, they acquired veteran Tony Kemp but also have A’s minor league star Jorge Mateo as well as Franklin Barreto who already have some major league experience with the club, as well as Sheldon Neuse and then there is Rule 5 pick Vimael Machín.They are all candidates at the second-base position that Jurickson Profar left vacant after he signed with the San Diego Padres.

Conclusion: It will be a battle for the division between the A’s and the Astros. Now under Dusty Baker,the Houston team still one of the best group of players in baseball,it should not be easy for the A’s, but they are ready for battle. It is of great importance that the A’s win the division,because they are starting to get the label that they cannot win a Wild Card game.

The LA Angels with the addition of one of the finest hitters and all around players in third-baseman Anthony Rendon, who will now be in a lineup with MikeTrout, Justin Upton,Shohei Othani and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols hitting sixth or seventh,they will score tons of runs, but they are still short of pitching.Good luck to a great baseball guy,Joe Maddon, now back in Anaheim as manager.

Texas will be Texas,Joey Gallo might hit 50 home runs,so what? and the Seattle Mariners will continue to look up to the others in the division. Seattle a great city that once had stars such as Ken Griffey Jr. Edgar Martínez, Randy Johnson, Ichiro Susuki, Féliz Hernández, Jaime Moyer, Raúl Ibañez and others, but for this season they will be a sad again. Mariners remain the only team in the division never to win the pennant.

Atléticos First Homestand features two Divisional champions. A’s Open 2020 this Thursday March 26th at 1:07PM with the first of a four games against the Central Division champion Minnesota Twins followed by the Western Division champion Houston Astros for a three game series starting Monday. The Twins loaded with power set a new MLB record last season with 307 home runs and the Astros lead the regular season with 107 wins.

Coronavirus Note: WHO(World Health Organization)tips about this virus. 1-Wash hands frequently 2-Maintain social distances 3-Avoid touching,eyes, nose and mouth 4-If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio broadcasts and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: Lynn’s command a big factor in keeping runs down against A’s

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Photo credit: beyondtheboxscore.com

On the A’s podcast with Charlie O:

#1 On Sunday, it was too much Lance Lynn of the Texas Rangers. Lynn struck out 12 A’s hitters, walked one and allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of work as the Rangers avoided getting swept at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 Seth Brown and Khris Davis’ hitting in the five and six holes combined for seven strikeouts,.Davis was able to get a double in the eighth off the Rangers.

#3 Attendance is up for the A’s at home. The A’s increased their attendance by 88,595. They drew 38,453 to boost their season home total to 1,662,211.

#4 The Texas Rangers’ Shin-Soo Choo tied the Rangers’ all-time record for leadoff home runs matching Ian Kinsler. The Rangers had five homers off the A’s on Sunday.

#5 The A’s are in Anaheim and they’ll be starting Homer Bailey (13-8). The A’s heavily depend on Bailey as every win counts at this juncture of the season.

Charlie does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum: Buyers remorse-Cubs regret $43M deal with Kimbrell; A’s Semien closing in on 200 hits; plus more

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photo from uk.movies.yahoo.com: New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone shows the location and how much a pitch call was squeezing his pitchers after he was ejected for the fifth time for this season on Saturday at Yankee Stadium by Umpire Joe West against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays

On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel:

1 Craig Kimbrell blows another save now 0-4, 6.53 ERA, Cubs start to regret $43 million contract

2 A’s Marcus Semien reaches base six times against Texas, chasing 200 hits

3 Padres fire manager Andy Green after four seasons 274-366 won loss record.

4 Tampa Bay Rays keep rolling with third straight walk-off win

5 Umpire Joe West ejects Yankees skipper Aaron Boone a day after blowing a strike call

Join Daniel every Sunday for the MLB podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com