The Athletics (23-34) @ Toronto Blue Jays (28-28), May 29 - June 1

[PushDaRock]

We were thinking he was very good like he had been since the beginning of 2023 and then a disastrous May 2025 hit.

Unclear what that has to do with Yariel Rodriguez being the best pitcher in their pen right now. While I’m fine continuing to use him as a relief ace in big moments and not strictly as a closer, he’s a pretty obvious option to replace Hoffman.

lol I don't know, maybe something to do with sample sizes and tempering expectations on smaller ones?

So you don’t consider a red hot Yariel Rodriguez an option to replace a pitcher who has allowed 15 runs in his last 10 innings because he hasn’t been good enough for long enough? How many months of Hoffman struggling and Yariel thriving are we supposed to allow exactly?

It felt unimaginable before now but I think we’ve finally found someone who would make an even worse manager than Montoyo.

I don't think you would be as bad of a manager as Montoyo, don't be so hard on yourself.

[Randle McMurphy]

lol I don't know, maybe something to do with sample sizes and tempering expectations on smaller ones?

So you don’t consider a red hot Yariel Rodriguez an option to replace a pitcher who has allowed 15 runs in his last 10 innings because he hasn’t been good enough for long enough? How many months of Hoffman struggling and Yariel thriving are we supposed to allow exactly?

It felt unimaginable before now but I think we’ve finally found someone who would make an even worse manager than Montoyo.

I don't think you would be as bad of a manager as Montoyo, don't be so hard on yourself.

It takes a rare strategic acumen to be at that level, it’s true.

[Hottie McShotty]

Well, they took advantage of a bad team to get the sweep. That is what good team's do, so maybe they're starting to piece things together.

I hate that Roden is rotting on the bench while Straw gets ABs.

Still one game left in the series. I agree about Roden. He was tearing it up in AAA. Why not give him some ABs over Straw??

[Randle McMurphy]

Well, they took advantage of a bad team to get the sweep. That is what good team's do, so maybe they're starting to piece things together.

I hate that Roden is rotting on the bench while Straw gets ABs.

Still one game left in the series. I agree about Roden. He was tearing it up in AAA. Why not give him some ABs over Straw??

I imagine Rodon will get another big shot now with Varsho likely down a few months, but Straw is gonna play a ton. He’s really the only guy we have capable of playing CF at a high level defensively now.

[Boogie!]

What happened to yimi btw

[Mehar]

What happened to yimi btw

He was placed on the 15 Day DL last week due to Shoulder Impingement. Unfortunate timing since he has been terrific in his last five outings, prior to a couple of bad ones.

[Parataxis]

Well, they took advantage of a bad team to get the sweep. That is what good team's do, so maybe they're starting to piece things together.

I hate that Roden is rotting on the bench while Straw gets ABs.

Still one game left in the series. I agree about Roden. He was tearing it up in AAA. Why not give him some ABs over Straw??

In that situation, probably because we had the lead, and Straw is elite defensively.

[bartron_44]

Its Barger, Clement and Lukes that “need to stay in the lineup” right now. Things only get tricky when Santander and Gimenez come back. They dont have time to let them try to get their crap together at the plate.

[Parataxis]

Well, after one day in the Big Leagues, Easton Lucas is back down in Buffalo to make room for Swanson who has been reinstated from the 60 day.
And Davis Schneider is getting another chance in Toronto with Varsho on the 10 day.

[Randle McMurphy]

Grade 1 strain for Varsho is probably the best case scenario we could have hoped for. Maybe we will see him back in a month rather than months.

[Mehar]

Its Barger, Clement and Lukes that “need to stay in the lineup” right now. Things only get tricky when Santander and Gimenez come back. They dont have time to let them try to get their crap together at the plate.

I absolutely agree. I was thinking about this last night after Varsho's injury. Straw is fine as a late inning defensive substitution, but he is 3 for his last 21 and has cooled off with the bat the last couple of weeks. If he cannot turn it around with the bat, it makes sense to have Lukes at CF more rotating occasionally with Springer. Have Straw utilized more as a Late Inning Defensive Specialist like Bradley Zimmer was previously. Barger needs to be in the lineup regularly so he can slide to RF when Gimenez is back, and have Clement at Third Base.

I do not care how much Gimenez and Santander are making, but if they continue to struggle after coming back from their injuries- they can both have a seat on the bench from time to time. It should be about winning games and fielding the best lineup right now. Lukes, Barger, Clement should continue to play regularly for now.

[JN]

Hopefully we get 2023 or 2nd Half 2024 Swanson version. (not the disaster that was the first half last year (9.20 ERA))

He did have a pretty good second half last year:
25 innings
27K/10 BB
1.01 WHIP
2.55 ERA

[JN]

Its Barger, Clement and Lukes that “need to stay in the lineup” right now. Things only get tricky when Santander and Gimenez come back. They dont have time to let them try to get their crap together at the plate.

I absolutely agree. I was thinking about this last night after Varsho's injury. Straw is fine as a late inning defensive substitution, but he is 3 for his last 21 and has cooled off with the bat the last couple of weeks. If he cannot turn it around with the bat, it makes sense to have Lukes at CF more rotating occasionally with Springer. Have Straw utilized more as a Late Inning Defensive Specialist like Bradley Zimmer was previously. Barger needs to be in the lineup regularly so he can slide to RF when Gimenez is back, and have Clement at Third Base.

I do not care how much Gimenez and Santander are making, but if they continue to struggle after coming back from their injuries- they can both have a seat on the bench from time to time. It should be about winning games and fielding the best lineup right now. Lukes, Barger, Clement should continue to play regularly for now.

Straw should start vs LHP only. Other than that a defensive replacement -- only reconsider if Lukes has big regression.

[T-d0t]

Shulman with the jynx

[GoRapstheoriginal]

Oof. Today's game not looking good so far! Ugh!

[Randle McMurphy]

Back to the nothing offense once they faced a decent pitcher again. 3 runs looks insurmountable.

[Fairview4Life]

FFS Springer.

[JN]

Right when I saw it live, I was like crap he's not on the bag.
Sure enough A's challenged.

Stupid.

[Randle McMurphy]

What a total idiot Springer is. Just completely unserious franchise.

[rarefind]

Vladdy could've been out at 2nd negating a run and the next AB George (while maybe hurt) just committed a really bad blunder.