Bee Sports Editor/Opinion
There's something very distressing about the A's this season, and it starts with the first pitch.
Dallas Braden is set to be the Opening Day starter Monday when they visit the Angels.
Braden is a No. 3 starter at best in any other rotation, but because of injuries, trades and gambles, he is Oakland's best pitcher as the season begins. Even if Dana Eveland is on the verge of a breakout season, that's counting on the unknown.
How did the A's get into this mess? First, there was the migration of almost a dozen A's pitchers to other teams over the past few years. The biggest loss during the offseason was closer Huston Street, who was traded to the Rockies.
It's not as if general manager Billy Beane sat back. He traded for slugger Matt Holliday and signed Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra – all of whom could be over the hill.
Yet after ace Justin Duchscherer's injury, Beane is giving the ball to Braden, Eveland, Sean Gallagher, Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson.
A young pitching staff has worked before for Beane, but even the most die-hard fans would have trouble knowing this rotation. Let's hope we remember them this fall.
What to surf
www.athleticsnation.com: They're talking pitching injuries at this A's blog.
What to do
NBA: Kings at Warriors, 7:30 p.m., Oakland's Oracle Arena: Worth the drive since the Warriors have some ticket deals for this game.
What to watch
Soccer: U.S. vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2: A U.S. World Cup qualifier.
Tuesday's results
NBA
• Hornets 111, KINGS 110 • Pacers 107, Bulls 105 • 76ers 98, Hawks 85 • Cavs 79, Pistons 73 • Bobcats 94, Lakers 84 • Mavs 108, T-wolves 88 • Thunder 96, Spurs 95 • Nuggets 111, Knicks 104 • Trail Blazers 125, Jazz 104
NCAA Women's Tournament
• UConn 83, Ariz. St. 64 • Oklahoma 74, Purdue 68
Exhibition baseball
• A's 7, Royals 2 • Giants 10, Rangers 3
Today's poll
Who will win the NCAA men's Final Four? • Connecticut. • Michigan State. • North Carolina. • Villanova. To vote, go to www.sacbee.com/sports.
Tuesday's poll results
Should Vlade Divac be in basketball's Hall of Fame? • Yes. 55% • No. 45% Total votes: 212
The last word
What you're saying on sacbee.com comments: • "I have said it before and I will say it again: Let's get Vlade (Divac) to be our next coach!"
– johnpac28 on "Udrih's numbers have improved."
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