dempster has a pattern of getting destroyed by contenders since he entered AL.

i predict smith or kottarras coming up with big hits. smith is due he's been struggling lately

This is exciting. I'm almost too nervous to watch. I don't remember watching a game this big since the 2006 playoffs.

I can't hardly stand it.  MLB should have moved this game to prime time.

Steve Berthiaume ‏ @ SBerthiaumeESPN

Since start of divisional play: rookie P has never started regular season winner-take-all game. # Athletics @ griffin_64 starts today. Elias.

agreed. of course espn and espn 2 will simulcast the yankees and orioles games later on today

BigJ7489 wrote: I can't hardly stand it.  MLB should have moved this game to prime time.

Quick poll: how would you rank the possible A's opponents in the playoffs from most want to play to least want to play?

For me:

1) Texas
2) Orioles
3) Yankees
4) Tigers

I live in Iowa.. Have pry wathced 125 games on my direct tv extra innings this year and I cant watch this one because of work... anxiety level is so high

smark88 wrote: Quick poll: how would you rank the possible A's opponents in the playoffs from most want to play to least want to play?

For me:

1) Texas
2) Orioles
3) Yankees
4) Tigers

1) Nationals
2) Cardinals
3) Braves
4) Reds
5) Giants (would be higher but I would rather they get swept).
6) Orioles
7) Rangers
8) Yankees
9) Tigers

For me:

1) Texas
1) Orioles
1) Yankees
1) Tigers

I don't care who they face. They all have more established players, they all have the ability to sweep the A's, they all could get (and have gotten) beat by the A's. I guess, if forced, I don't want to face CC or Verlander... but hey the last time the A's made the postseason no one wanted any part of Johan Santana in the Metrodome and the A's beat him.

I'd really prefer to play any National League team, b/c that means they're in the WS.

Give me 7 shutout IP from Griffin, A's offense scores 10, Scribner and Blevins finish it off.

I just hope all the players on both teams have a fun time out.

The only thing I'm concerned about is that the bullpen is over-taxed, everyone having pitched 4 games in a row I believe...

So, what do you do? Go to the well again to assure the division, or save them for the play-in game?

I think Melvin will pull out all the stops. After all, if he was cool with the wild-card, he wouldn't have used all those relievers last night, right?

Either way, I trust his judgment. He's certainly earned the benefit of the doubt, after all...

rangers having fun...no way. hope they are as dejected as we saw the angels 2 days ago

let them have fun on their flight to baltimore

For me:

1) Rangers
2) Tigers
3) Yankees (ALDS, not single-game C.C. Sabathia)
4) Orioles

smark88 wrote: Quick poll: how would you rank the possible A's opponents in the playoffs from most want to play to least want to play?

For me:

1) Texas
2) Orioles
3) Yankees
4) Tigers

zorch wrote: The only thing I'm concerned about is that the bullpen is over-taxed, everyone having pitched 4 games in a row I believe...

So, what do you do? Go to the well again to assure the division, or save them for the play-in game?

I think Melvin will pull out all the stops. After all, if he was cool with the wild-card, he wouldn't have used all those relievers last night, right?

Either way, I trust his judgment. He's certainly earned the benefit of the doubt, after all...

Yeah I'm worried about them the rest of the postseason with this excessive use.

He's got Scribner and Blevins who have been very good and probably should've been used yesterday over Cook and Doolittle.  Scribner could've faced the bottom of the order, then Blevins vs Kinsler, Andrus, Hamilton and got them to the 9th, which would've freed up Doolittle and Cook to pitch the 8th and 9th today.  

Like you said though, Melvin has earned the benefit of the doubt.  

Wish Norberto could get back, but doesn't appear it's possible.

#Game162 # Athletics # BernieLean # Moneyball # Oakland # ChampagneShowers #Octobernie #PlayoffPush #GreenOctober

If the A's win today, Moneyball should be re-released in theaters nationwide.

No way you put in anybody than Doolittle/Cook/Balfour yesterday. Not with the division on the line. If we lost game 1, yes, sure. But we had a chance to continue for the division - you do it. I guarantee you if Melvin puts in anyone other than those 3 and they did poorly, many on here would have been screaming for Melvin's head on a platter.

Our only hope is a complete game by Griffin :) or a blowout so we can use other guys. But I am VERY curious what happens if we are in a tight situation. If we win today, we have a lot of time to rest. If the guys want the ball, I think Melvin goes with them - but we shall see. The only other guy I trust other than those 3 right now is Blevins, though as mentioned, scribner has been doing well.

Nailbitting....

jclay09 wrote:

zorch wrote: The only thing I'm concerned about is that the bullpen is over-taxed, everyone having pitched 4 games in a row I believe...

So, what do you do? Go to the well again to assure the division, or save them for the play-in game?

I think Melvin will pull out all the stops. After all, if he was cool with the wild-card, he wouldn't have used all those relievers last night, right?

Either way, I trust his judgment. He's certainly earned the benefit of the doubt, after all...

Yeah I'm worried about them the rest of the postseason with this excessive use.

He's got Scribner and Blevins who have been very good and probably should've been used yesterday over Cook and Doolittle.  Scribner could've faced the bottom of the order, then Blevins vs Kinsler, Andrus, Hamilton and got them to the 9th, which would've freed up Doolittle and Cook to pitch the 8th and 9th today.  

Like you said though, Melvin has earned the benefit of the doubt.  

Wish Norberto could get back, but doesn't appear it's possible.

Prediction: Griffin goes 3 1/3, walks 4, gives up 4, A's lose 7-6. We're gonna miss Balfour/Cook/Doolittle with them not being available