Things change over the course of a baseball season. Players come and go, batting orders are tweaked, and pitcher’s turns are skipped when they struggle.

A’s righthander Cory Lidle falls into the latter class.

Now what do the A’s do with their number four starter after another inexplicable meltdown Monday night against the Brewers?

Click “read more” and see. [Read more →]

Bob Uecker, Hollywood movie star as well as play by play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers is Marty’s guest on Right Off The Bat Tuesday at 5:50 PM Pacific, right here on LOTGP.com, the A’s website, or 610 AM KFRC in Northern California. Don’t miss this show. [Read more →]

As you look at the A.L. West standing in the second week of June, you find that the A’s are back into contention–6 games behind Seattle.

What a difference a year makes! At this point last year, the A’s were 18 games out of the blazing Mariners and trying to detrmine whether they will be sellers or buyers down the stretch run.

But, here’s my intrigue; With all of the predictions regarding the A’s before the year began and now you look at the individual stats and circumstances involving each A’s player, how can this team still be in contention?

Here’s what I think.
[Read more →]

The baseball season has certain markers along the way.

100 games to go has always been one for me.

The A’s wake up this morning 32-30 (100 left in the schedule), six games behind Seattle and five behind Anaheim.

The Giants have 101 games left in the season, sporting a 35-26 mark, 3 1/2 games behind the Diamondbacks and 1 1/2 back of LA.

How many wins will it take over the last 100 games to get into the playoffs?

I’ll tell you.

[Read more →]

What’s in a name ?

Is it Chávez or is it Cha-véz ?

This is a free country but some Hispanic

names should be pronounced in the correct maner. [Read more →]

It sounds like the opening starters in the All Star Game, but instead it’s another interleague game in Fenway Park.

The Diamondbacks used their bullpen and held on to beat the Red Sox Friday night.

They aren’t going to need their relievers Saurday with Curt Schilling on the hill.

Schilling is heading towards Denny McLain (31-4 in ’68) numbers already and it’s only June 8th.

How far can he go? What about the other games Saturday? Are there other tight games ahead?

You can count on it, just follow me. [Read more →]

Ron Thomas, Bay Area journalist, recently published his new book, “They Cleared The Lane”, a story about basketball’s black pioneers. Ron compares the NBA basketball players ground breaking racial experience with baseball’s integration in 1947, in a very insightful show. Listen at 11:50 AM Pacific right here on LOTGP.com, the A’s website, or 610 AM KFRC, in Northern California. [Read more →]

Many baseball people cringe every season when interleague play rears its ugly head.

I’m not one of them.

The division races are taking shape, the summer is right around the corner, I think interleague play comes at the right time to give the fans a boost.

There are many intriguing match ups on the schedule.

Is interleague play fair?

Here’s what I think. [Read more →]

Arizona Diamondbacks major league scout, Shooty Babitt gives us his scouting report on the interleague games tonight at 5:50 PM Pacific on Right Off The Bat heard on LOTGP.com, the A’s website, or 610 AM KFRC, in Northern California. [Read more →]

Sports columnist Glenn Dickey joins me on Right Off The Bat, live before game four of the series between the Mariners and the A’s. Glenn has a bead on the pennant races and isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts with the fans. Don’t miss this show airing at 11:20 AM Pacific right here on LOTGP.com, the A’s web site, and 610 AM KFRC, in Northern California. [Read more →]