ArmChair Takes

Dropping my latest A's takes after the green n gold won their 40th game of the season.  While the #datanerds only give them a 35.6% chance to win the West, they're once again on pace to win 97 games (same total as '18, '19, and '20... equaled the equivalent in the shortened season) and lead the division by 2 games as we near the halfway point.  I give my takes on why I'm confident in their lineup right now --- which was on display today --- and why the starting 5 is exceeding my expectations.  Biggest needs remain reliable bullpen arms and an upgrade at short.  Finding bullpen arms should be easier and cheaper then an improvement at short, so excited to see what moves Billy pulls off before the deadline.  Give a listen #ACT

Dropping takes on the Dubs season, and the roster going forward.  Hear why I think they can contend next year with even just some minor upgrades to the roster this offseason.  Next I give my takes on the A's two biggest areas of concern and why their way-too public attempts to bully the City of Oakland are very shortsighted. Tap in #ACT 

Decided to light the mic after a wildly entertaining Zers-Suns game that ended on a bullsh*t call with the Suns eeking out the victory and more importantly the chance of the Zers falling to 7th seed and facing the Dubs in the opening round of the Play-In.  We'll get to that next week though when the matchups are set.  Before then I give my takes on the Jordan Bell signing, the Dubs-Grizz game on Sunday, and give shouts out to JTA for being rewarded with a guaranteed contract.  Juan T!  Moving on to the A's... who are not actually moving btw.... I talk the series win in Boston, how they're now tied for the most wins in baseball (23) even after the 0-6 start, my continued concerns with the bullpen and Chappy's slow start at the plate, plus why I don't give AF about the announcement that the A"s and MLB are possibly looking to relocate the team. Hard pass. #ACT

Another quick hitter before the end of the week, this time after the Dubs make light work of the Thunder and the A's split a 4-game series vs the Jays.  I get into why I don't think the Dubs filling their open roster spots matters that much now and who I want to see them face in the first play-in game.  After that I drop some takes on the A's rotation and limited bullpen, why I like their lineup better than in years past, and I'd solve their issue at shortstop.  Give a listen --- and stay tuned for a Dubs playoff pod in the next week or two #ACT

Yoooooo!  Man, it's been too long and the podcast gods punished me by handing me to L's tonight... first the A's fell 4-3 in Tampa and then the Dubs got boat raced by Dallas.  So, kept my Arm Chair Takes short and to the point: 1. I'm not worried about the Dubs after tonight, it's been a good month and schedule is still favorable down the stretch.  2. It's still too early in the season for me to have any hot takes on the A's.  Just don't have a sense yet of how good (or bad) the squad is at this point... an 0-6 start followed by a 13 game win streak will do that.  I promise to light the mic again soon and hopefully with a co-pilot or two next time #ACT    

Spring is in the air and that mean's I'm sliding in my first Oakland A's takes of the year.  Opening Day is just 3 weeks away and the defending AL West Champs have reloaded to defend their title.  Here to drop takes with me on this week's ACT is a familiar voice in Eli, and first time guest Flush aka Gamer. Both these dudes grew up with me in Berkeley and are ride or die A's fans like I am.  We discuss the highs (bullpen reinforcements) and lows (letting homegrown shortstop Marcus Semien walk) of the offseason, general concerns, position battles (2B again?!), o/u win total, and why BoMel is a legend.  Give a listen and stay tuned for more A's takes as the season gets underway. Bash me. #ACT

Buckle up...   this was the most anticipated ArmChair Takes yet as we had worlds colliding with the Dubs and Zers matching up for the last time this season.  After the Dubs have owned the series in recent years, including sweeping the Zers in the 2019 WCF, they're finally on even footing and the ending did not disappoint.  Zers win 108-106, scoring the games final 5 points to eek out the victory.  Joining me on tonight's episode is ACT vet and Dubs diehard, Joseph Quinn, and representing the Portland Metro Area Playas are three fellow Ducks - Joey P, Wid, and Tim Pyle.  We get sideways early and somehow end up comparing Dame and Dray (huh?) and after getting nowhere, finish with PMAPs getting takes off on where they think the Zers will finish the regular season and their overall expectations going forward.  Take a deep breath and tap in #ACT

Was really looking forward to getting some takes off on the Lakers tonight but the Dubs had other plans as they got obliterated 117-91 at Staples Center.  Joining me to talk about it is my buddy Murph, aka Laguna Murph who delivered his takes on the Lakers.  We talk about how the game went sideaways so quickly for the Dubs, whether this year's Lakers squad is better than last year's, what potential additions both teams might look to make at the trade deadline, and look ahead to the next handful of games.  Give a listen #ACT 

Lighting the mic with some ArmChair Takes after the Dubs beat the Knicks in MSG 114-106.  Joining me tonight is another fellow Duck, my buddy George who was born in Manhattan and still sadly roots for the Knicks.  We give our takes on tonight's game from both team's perspective, talk about the differences and similarities in the two teams, touch on Wiseman & Toppin, the possibility that we'll both have lottery picks in the 2021 Draft even if our squads make the playoffs, and why Coach Kerr still starts Steph even though he preaches defense.  Give a listen #ACT   

Do you believe in miracles? The shorthanded Dubs stormed back from 19 down to beat the Heat in OT 120-112.  Dropping takes with me tonight is Brian from San Jose who not only grew up a Dubs fan, but also went to Oregon with me so stay for his bonus Ducks take at the end.  We get into why the win tonight was so encouraging and how the rest of the Western Conference teams stack up 30 or so games into the season #ACT