Game 131 - A's game 8 of 10

As usual all statistics were found at the day by day database at Baseball Musings.

So, how do you follow up a sweep by one of the worst teams in baseball? If you are Boston you start a 3 game series with one of the hottest teams around against one of the hottest pitchers around. Maalox here I come. Tonight we have Kason going against Loaiza. That is a rookie who has pitched in 3 games going against a veteran who has started over 300 games. Furthermore said veteran is 3 and 0 in 5 starts during August with a 1.77 ERA.

Of course it doesn't help that the A's are one of the hottest teams in baseball, 18 and 6 in August, and winners of 6 of their last 10. Hmmm, six of their last ten? Maybe this team is starting to cool down.

Loaiza has made 9 starts against the Red Sox in his career. His record is 3 and 2 with a 4.17 ERA. This ERA is better than his career ERA of 4.63. The bad thing about Esteban's starts against the Sox is out of 9 starts he has thrown 7 quality starts. The good news is in his last start against the Sox on 7/13/2006 of this year he went 5 innings in a now decision giving up 3 earned runs. Unfortunately that was the start where Loretta muffed a ball in the 11th inning which allowed the A's to win.

What to say about Kason? Not a lot, he has never faced the A's in his to short major league career. In fact he has only started one game. That was against Seattle, a loss but he did pitch respectably, going 5 1/3 innings only allowing 2 earned runs.

How will this team do tonight? Well, not sure, it seems to be imploding right before our eyes, with signs of even Tito losing his patience with Manny. Remember, in 2004 it was Tito who went out faced the music after every loss and then after every win with the same stoic face and passion. Our job is just to win tomorrow. We can't look pass tomorrow. Just win tomorrow and the rest will take care of itself. For Tito to use four letter words to reporters about one of the players (quick name the last time Tito ripped some one in the press), means even Tito is getting tired of the B.S. and is barely hanging on to calm and coolness. Should be an interesting 3 games.

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