A's Cast - A's Talk - September 3

0:00Every game day you show up for your team. Now it's your time. We go, we go, we go, we go. Ask your prescriber about Wigovie, some Maglatide Injection 2.4 milligrams, a GLP 1. Call 1-8-3-3-4 Wigovie or visit Wigovie.com to view the Medication Guide and to learn more about Wigovie. Why wait? We go, we go. It's time to hear from you, the fans from road trippers. It's a strike, it's a ball, they location different calls. Yeah. To fanatics. It's not a country club. And the rest. I'm so fired up up confused. This is A's talk. You guys are not from my heart, take. Go ahead, Michael. What's your heart, take? Here's your host. He's like the kid. Boy, can I be a part of it? Can I play in the game? Michael Barrabald. And Gellup, it's a five ball to deep. Right, Mont says back. At the track right to the wall, he'll turn and watch and fly.

1:04And right off the top, he is, take a one-nothing lead. The infield back, they look for two, and the one-off pitched to Williams is the ground ball to third up with it. Rodnan, he goes a second for one on to first, and they turn the double play as the run score. Infield the pole. The outfield room and right center, and the two-one delivery is a line drive, base set center field. Bolte will score around third as Gellup to score. And that quickly, the A's have taken the lead on a smash into center by the Red Hot Butler, two runners score, and the A's lead for three and the fifth. On this Thursday night, high drummen, the Pacific Northwest, and an A's win, seven to four, the final over the Mariners, from T-Mobile Park. Welcome to A's talk, everybody.

2:04Michael Barrabald here. The number as always, 833-6522-78, that's 833-733. 625-2278, we of course want to hear from you. After the second longest nine inning game of the 2026 season, by a measly little one minute, and that was accomplished on June 14th in Las Vegas. Three hours and 24 minutes, tonight, three hours and 23 minutes. So the second longest nine inning game, the good news is this one ends in an A's win. And a lot of areas we can get into, and where I want to start, was how big Scott Bluett was tonight. You look at the first three innings, and you look at the Mariners line score, runs multiple base runners, traffic, stress pitches, high leverage spots. Mariners are playing for their lives. I mean, we went over this yesterday.

3:07They were coming in eight games under 500. I mean, this is a team that it's kind of, it's a now or never series, because they lose this series. You know, splitting, I don't think, is good enough. Now they got to win each of this next three to even make a dent. They would be 69 and 75 after this series. But even if they do that, they are six games under. So this is make it or break it. Momentum going for Seattle. The A's really not playing for anything. Let's be real. You got players playing for contracts. You have players that are playing for potential spots on next year's roster. But in terms of obviously postseason or wins that matter, it's not what the A's are playing for right now. But Scott Bluett comes in and calms things down, gives them two scoreless innings, gets out of a jam and the fifth versus two on two on two out, gets a big strikeout of Rodin to end the frame,

4:10and just it really turned the game around. Because they remember in that top of the fifth, Lawrence Butler had given them to lead, so what do you need? A shut down inning. So not only does Bluett calm things down in the fourth, but with a one two three fourth, he also gives you a shut down inning after Butler brings home two runs to give you the lead. By the way, Lawrence Butler against lefties this, since August 14 has been tremendous. Well over 300 in OPS, just shy of a thousand in that stretch. So given, I mean, people want to give credit to Medina for getting in and out of his danger. Hogan Harris obviously with a one two three nine, he's going to get credit for the safe. To me, the safe is Scott Bluett, and he ends up getting credit with the win. But that's really where the game was saved and where I think the game was won. And it just goes to show you how,

5:11I mean, you look at what Scott Bluett has done since he's joined the A's. It's been nothing short of remarkable. Joins the A's ended July and has pitched to a two seven O E R A in 23 and a third inning. I mean, this is someone that's really earning himself a reliable role in that bullpen. You know, Hogan Harris talked about it on his cast. A few weeks ago, hey, look, you got to earn yourself a role. It's not just going to be given to you. So you got to come in and earn it. You've seen Medina do that. You've seen Elvus Alvarado do that. And you've seen Hogan Harris do that. And you're hoping a few others along the way go and earn themselves a role. And the A's are looking for guys Chris Roy Croft. I think the A's are hoping to have him earn himself a role in the bullpen going in the next year. You look at his ground ball rate. That's why the A's got him. And you got high velocity guys in this bullpen like Roy Croft, like Medina, like Elvus Alvarado. And that's something that Ken had mentioned, Ken Corkin mentioned in the bottom of the stem,

6:11thening that, you know, you didn't really think about it, but it's true. The A's really haven't had a ton of high velocity guys in their bullpen. And you can always use those guys if they can miss bats. Because it's one thing to have the have velocity, but it's nothing to have velocity and command. That's where I've seen Elvus Alvarado struggle a little bit. He gets behind in counts and yeah, he throws 98.99, but if it's right down the middle, it's going to get hit. Same with Medina 96.97.98. It's going to get hit if you leave it in the heart of the zone. So you want to get those pitches, keep those pitches in the shadow of the strike zone. But going back to blue and what he's meant, because so much has been put on Hogan Harris, a huge work load. So much, I think, as now being put on Luis Medina, rightfully so, Elvus Alvarado is moving into that category as well.

7:13And who knows, I mean, even more could get put on this bullpen. Because now it's looking like JT again, maybe headed for the injured list. He's still dealing with some soreness and he's not going to make his schedule start. He's supposed to start in this series. Now that is up for debate whether he's going to even have an IEL stint. And now you're hearing Kate Morris is going to start tomorrow for the athletics. So there's a lot being put on this bullpen and it's been overworked all year long. And so you're looking for guys, you found Hogan, you've got Medina, you found Medina, you found Alvarado, it looks like. And you look at Scott Bluett, you might have found something with him. As we've talked about, look, this is a bullpen at least half, if not more of your bullpen, is going to have to be rebuilt for 2027. You got to find new guys. We've gone over, I mean the guys that pitch tonight, Bluett, Medina, Harris, they'll all be back. Alvarado will be back likely.

8:18That's who I would bring back. Maybe a Brady Basso, maybe a Justin Sturner. But you're looking at a ton of guys that are going to need a ton of positions that are going to need to be filled in that bullpen. And it's not just filling out the pictures on the big league, Rachi, you got to have got to have guys ready in AAA. So you see with all the injuries this year, the guys that have been designated for assignment and have been DFA that have been traded. Guys, the A's have acquired. You've got to get yourself a surplus of pictures that are going to be big league ready in 2027. Because the A's are expecting in 2027 wall before the L.F.E. maybe add some additions to the pitching staff. Maybe we'll have a chance. You know what? I don't blame them. Look at the American league. What's this year? Someone's going to have to come out of that division every year. That third wall card spot is usually going to go to a team that's, you know, more or less around 500. Maybe a few games over.

9:18So if you're the A's, you have every right to be expecting to compete next year. But you got to fill holes. A lot of holes in the bullpen. A lot of holes in the starting rotation. And again, you're looking at what Scott Blue it is done in his time with the athletics now just over a month. Boy has he been brilliant. And boy has he really been something the A's have needed a guy that can go multiple innings can get righties and left these out. It just adds so much more versatility to this bullpen. And it's exactly what Mark Cotsay and Dan Hubs needed. Especially to look at all the interests of the starting pitching now. I'd mentioned JT again. Martín Gallagos was reporting that he's still dealing with some fatigue and soreness as they're not placing him on the IL yet. Probably going to get some further testing in Sacramento. I would be my assumption, but he's not going to pitch in this series. That's why Kate Morris is going to start tomorrow. And who knows you only got three innings out of Perkins tonight. How many are going to get out of Kate Morris.

10:20There's going to be even more put on that bullpen will Hogan Harris be available he just pitch back to back. Well, he goes three days in a row. If you ask Hogan, he'll tell you, yeah, I'm ready to go. I'll go every single day. I'll go 162. But in reality, is he going to go three days in a row? We'll find out. But really good stuff from Lou tonight. This was the turning point. I'll go two innings, those fourth and fifth innings. He calmed the game down in the fourth and got the A's the shutdown. And remember the shutdown inning. That's something the A's have really lacked in 2026. You look at times when the A score, especially at home, the A score runs, whether they take the lead, tie the game or score first, you've seen them more times and not fail to put up a zero in the next half inning. So all that momentum you get is immediately snapped away from you by the opposing team by giving up that run back or runs.

11:23So a really good job by the say is bullpen who again has been overworked has really struggled at times, but the A's may be finding some guys here. They've been looking for guys to fill out this bullpen next year. Harris Medina blew it. I think those three that pitch tonight, they got to be on that list. Chris Roycroft, we shall see. But you like what you saw to him tonight. I know he gave up the run, but again, high ground ball rate that plays in Sacramento, that could play in Vegas. A lot of questions to be answered, but the A's might be finding some guys here. 83625227A is a number. We'll get to your phone calls coming up next year on A's talk. Medina swung on by Donovan Walton drilled a deep right center. Montez back at the track to the wall and it's gone. A pinch hit home run to right center by Donovan Walton in the A's lead. 5 to 3. Now here's the two two to Muncie swung on a ground ball to the hole and threw it to left for a base hit.

12:26The back kneels around third up with the ball of Rosa Rainer. The throw to the plate is cut off. And the A's get a cushion big time on a base hit to left by Muncie. And now the A's take a six to four lead. Three and two. And here it is. And it's a line drive to right down the line. Montez won't be able to make the play. He takes it on the track around third is high. And he will score. Thoda second. McNeill slides in with a double. And he gets some more insurance here in the ninth inning and they take a seven to four lead. I love seeing Max Monti contribute. Big in fields are a big single to get the A's. And then obviously in the ninth. Joe to Himes scoring. On Jeff McNeill's double to make it seven to four as he just heard. And the A's get a nice win. In the Pacific Northwest. September spoiler.

13:29I think that's what town are spoiler September. That's what town is calling the September. And why not? Because you know what at some point. When the A's get in the position to where they need a September push for the playoffs. These teams are going to come right back at them. So you know what you can play spoiler here in September. Take three out of four. I would love to see the A's take three out of four and Seattle and just knock them off course. You got the A's shows coming in for four to close the season in Sacramento. When that series. Make it difficult for them. Maybe love the division wrapped up by then. But you know the way this year is gone. You know the division the Rangers could be still in it. And that in that series. I'd love to see the A's at some point. Somehow maybe knock the A's shows out because there's only one team coming out of the West. And it's going to be whoever wins the division. So I would just it would be very satisfying to see the A's shows get knocked out and see.

14:34Rangers win. The division. But that's just me. I know we got callers. Greg claims he's going to make this quick, but I don't know what quick to Greg is so Greg, what do you got? Yeah, I've never been quick. You know that Michael, but. We'll be here all night. Well, as you know, you are your spot on intro great intro tonight. Really a fun game. I'm not sure why, but it was really one of the funner games of the year for me. Maybe because of the way the A started out behind the eight ball. And you know, Jack Perkins kind of struggled again, but but to kind of. You know, knocked the dust off, get back up and and and really tighten things up, get some big hits at big times. A's pitchers struck at the Mariners 18 times tonight. And that's the most that the Mariners have struck out at home since 2024.

15:34So. And the weird thing was is we walked eight guys usually. Eight, you know, when we usually we walk eight guys, it usually doesn't end well. You know, so I think the not only 18 strikeouts is a lot, but we had big strikeouts at big times clutch strikeouts. And as you touched on Michael, you know, the bullpen like finding guys. I mean, that's, that's. That's what we got to do right now. That's the meaning of the season from here on out is finding the guys that we can bring into camp next year and hopefully sticking that bullpen because like you said, we're going to need a lot of arms. So just a fun victory. You know, it's funny. Listen to the Mariners broadcast how down on the dumps they are because. Let's be honest, the Mariners about a really, really, you know, if you look at the AL West, there's probably not a bigger bummer team than the Mariners just for where they were at last year. I would say the entire American. Maybe in baseball. You make a strong point there, brother, no doubt about it. I mean, they were what they won out away from the World Series.

16:35I mean, they were so close last year. And that's kind of been the theme for the Mariners. Their whole existence. They were always you go back to the. The Griffey Jr. Edgar Martinez days like they were always so close, but yet so far. And you know, for them to have the year they had last year and to really roll out the same team. I mean, I don't think the Mariners lost a whole lot from from last year's team to this year's team. And they were a Rosarana's had a good year. You know, interesting set about Julio tonight, 2020, the first guy and majorly baseball history to open his first five seasons with a 2020 stat line. So, you know, obviously, Cal Raleigh struggled, but the Mariners have been really disappointing. And you can just hear it with the announcers that they really, they really feel like with with the remaining schedule. They play the A's a ton and they play the angel to the ton. So if there's ever a time where they're going to make a, you know, make a run and try to make this thing interesting for them. It's got to be now because, you know, I hate to say the angels in the A's are two of the worst teams in baseball. So.

17:35Just just a fun game. Obviously beat the marriage being arrivals grade. I'm with you. I hope we can knock them out for some reason. I don't I don't know what it is. I just don't like the Mariners. If the Rangers won the division, I'd be a lot happier than if they Astros of the Mariners wanted. But the question I have for you tonight, Michael, and it's, you know, kind of bullpen, kind of starterish Jack Perkins really seems like it's just not working out. You know, obviously he's a young guy. His stuff plays that you have the city has really good strike out rate with the slider. He guys really struggle with his with his sweeper, but it just hasn't worked out in the rotation. I would not be mad and I don't think it's going to happen this year, but going into camp next year, I would not be mad at the A's flip flopped Medina and Perkins. You know, Perkins has pitched out of the bullpen. You know, he has experience doing that to big league level, but Dina has experienced being a starter. And in my opinion, Michael, you can call us a hot take if you want. I think Medina has the best stuff of any pitcher in the on the A's bullpen starters. I think Medina stuff. Since he's added that change up, he dropped a curve ball in the night that was nasty for a cold strike. He was hitting 101 on the gun.

18:41I think Medina has the best stuff of any pitcher on the A's in my opinion. And I think, you know, as much as we need bullpen arms, that rotation has a lot of question marks to Michael. I mean, you talk about tonight with JT again. That's really, really disappointing. If he has to go on the I L because that's always been the knock on JT. He can't stay healthy. So can can can can can give you a full season. You know, can he can can give you 30 starts. I don't know. And there's a lot of holes in that rotation. So I want to get your thoughts on that and what you're taking would be if you flip flopped Medina and Perkins. Maybe not this year, but going into spring training next year. Obviously, gear up Medina in the off season. Be ready. Hey, get your arm ready. We're going to stretch you out. What would you think about flip flop in those two guys? Greg, thank you for the phone call. Thanks for being quick as always. But, you know, I think the A's have found something with Luis Medina. And I don't think you want to, if you know, the old saying if you didn't broke, don't fix it. I don't know if you want to really mess with Medina right now. I mean, this is someone that can can get out late in the game and high leveraged bots can go multiple innings.

19:48And I don't know if you want to try to ruin that by putting them back in the rotation. I know Dan Hubs has said, well, you know, there's always a possible. Well, yeah, there's always a possibility that anybody can go back into the rotation, especially with the guy like Medina. As you mentioned, who has great stuff. I do think Perkins future is in the bullpen as kind of the long man middleman. Maybe someone that. He's able to earn himself opportunities and in later game leveraged spots. I think his stuff plays. I know Ray had mentioned that too. So I like Perkins going to the bullpen. I think it's obviously needed. But I don't know if the solution is putting Medina back in the rotation. Again, I really think that you have found something with Medina being a guy that you can rely on late in the game in leveraged situations now with runners on base too, as you saw tonight. George, what do you got? Michael, I'm calling in because I just want to straight up and say I want to give big props to the A scouting team because the A scouting team did a good job of taking a press Roy Crafts and Scott fluid.

20:55They look really good today. I want they still have a lot more patients with Chris Roy Crafts because he has that really nice 97 98 mile an hour thinker. He didn't locate that last thing. He didn't locate it properly. He needed to get it down a little more. It was low too high and they got a hit off of them, but don't worry about that. Just keep practicing. Get that sinker down. I'm going to play with those corners, but I mean those two guys, I give props to the scouting team that is good job grabbing them because you know we got a beach and up. Be fun for bullpen coming into 2027 and they could possibly be great weapon and also Medina look great. Hogan Harris, he got his 14 say that was awesome too. And I was really happy with this game today. Scott team, they found some diamonds in the rough and just keep on looking for guys. They're out there. I hope they get them and you know we have Kate Morris is pitching next right. Kate Morris will start tomorrow. Yes, according to martin guy goes and I really like him. He's just he just one of our baby elephants has green behind the ears, but he has a lot of pitching and it's just how well can you have a good pitch sink win.

22:07I think you know we have confidence with the pitch and have a great location. If he could get that down, we could see good things from him, but it's going to take a little time. We just got to be patient. Kate Morris. He's that he will be a good pitcher. I really like his stuff and I wish I wish we could pair him with Suvino for some reason. I think Suvino will be a great mentor for him. I think Suvino will be a great mentor for least Luis Morales as well. But I do like Kate Morris and I do think if you get to good pitch sequence, use all his pitches correctly and have more confidence and use location better. He'll be a good pitcher for us. I just want to put that out there and it was great win today. Yeah, no doubt about it, George. Thanks to the phone call. Have a good night. Yeah, Kate Morris. I think has the stuff to play at this big look level. I don't know if it says a starter. I mean, I kind of compare him a little bit to Luis Medina in the sense to where I don't know if he's able to give you the length to be a starter, but he surely does have the stuff. So I mean, this could be someone again that can really be a weapon in the bullpen, but we'll see he's going to get an opportunity tomorrow and he's going to get it opportunities the rest of the season, whether that's in a starting role or in a bullpen role coming up next. We'll wrap things up and look ahead to tomorrow here on Ace Talk.

23:23Ace with the win over the Seattle Mariners, seven to four, the final from team mobile Park into Pacific Northwest. Ace trail three to one after one took a one-up thing lead on the Gellop home run, whether it be he looks to be heating back up again. Two more hits tonight. Of course, the home run in the first, the opposite way. Ace get the lead on the Lawrence Belt, the two run single. He's in his numbers against lefties since August 14th. 37 played appearances hit 324 OPS of 966 has three homeers and 20 total bases in that time span. And we've seen Lawrence Butler really start to kind of come into his own later in the season. I know people are going to say and it's a valid point. Well, you know, the team's 31 games under 500. You know, where was this early in the season? And that's a totally valid claim. But you want to see it nonetheless, because this is someone that you invested in long term. And this is someone you invested in well into Las Vegas. So you need Lawrence Butler producing now. And you need to produce in 2027 if you want to get to the ultimate destination, which is the athletics, being a perennial postseason contender once you open up that building in Vegas.

24:38And it's probably needs to be a big part of that. Zach Galafan needs to be a big part of that and Henry Bolton needs to be a big part of that. All three of those guys, those top three guys in your order, all with two hits a piece tonight. Really, really good signs. Let's quickly go around the league. Not too many games today on this Thursday along with the A7 to 4 win. The Dodgers beat the Cardinals to read it to Rangers. Six nothing winners over the Tampa Bay. The Marlins falling to the Royal 7 to 3 to 1 Cubs over the Brewers Red Sox being the Orioles 6 to 5 Astros 6 to 2 winners over the White Sox. Blue Jays win 6 to 3 over the Guardians and the Giants fall to the Pirates 6 to 2 the final from PNC Park tomorrow. A little bit of a later started his fireworks night up in Seattle. I'm giving away a Starbucks gift card. You know how popular that must be. Like I can't imagine if that was a giveaway here in Sacramento or like that would be the lines. I can only imagine what the lines would be for a Starbucks gift card. It's got to be like a five or $10 gift card. It can't be that much money.

25:44But that's going to be interesting give away. It's their fan appreciation. I'd so later start tomorrow 7 10 first pitch, which means our coverage will start at 5 with a cast slide with town in the commander. So of course have the Marquatze show presented by Folsom Lake Ford that'll lead into view from the press box at 6 and an ace cast and MBC sports California town in shooting. So we have the pregame coverage for you starting at 6 30 7 10 first pitch Ken Korak and Johnny Dowskow once again with the call. Cade Morris is going to start for the athletics as we mentioned earlier in the show and he's going to be opposed by Logan Gilbert who is 11 and 8 to 3.4 to earn to an average for the Seattle Mariners who are really kind of hanging on for dear life at this point. If you're the Mariner's you lose tomorrow you lose another game in the series you lose 3 out of 4. I know you got more games come up with the angels and of course the Mariners will be in West Sacramento next weekend for Hall of Fame weekend, which should be a great event next Saturday in West Sacramento.

26:48But you lose 3 out of 4 in this series and you fall 10 and more games below 500. It is going to be a rough go the rest of the way for Seattle for the athletics. You got to embrace it. And for Cade Morris is going to get a great opportunity to see how many innings you can give you. And cross baseball eating up innings is down. You don't have a ton of pitchers. You don't have a ton of innings eaters. You saw Chris Bassett that gave you 5 and 2 thirds after giving up runs early in the game on Sunday. Jacob Lopez even gave you six after giving up two runs in the first two innings yesterday. You need guys that can get out. Let's see if K-Mars can at least give me a little bit of length. We can give you four or five. I know it's not enough. Obviously with where the bullpen is how far as he stretched out we don't know. But you hope he's efficient enough to give you hopefully close to five innings tomorrow night. For Mark Brady back in our studio Michael Barrabal here. Thank you for listening to Hey Talk Everybody and we'll talk to you all tomorrow.

27:50This has been a presentation of the athletics. Every game day you show up for your team. Now it's your time. Ask your prescriber about We GoVie. Some Maglatide Injection 2.4 mg. A G.O.P.1. Call 1-8334 We GoVie or visit We GoVie.com to view the Medication Guide and to learn more about We GoVie. Why wait? We Go Vie!