It's June 1st...Who is the Astros closer?

[leroy420]

Brad Lidge has not been right for sometime. Many of us are pulling for him to get it back because, when he's one, he's one of the best closers in the game. When he's off, he's Tim Redding and Chris Holt combined :eek:.

I think he will be on a fairly short leash. Continue as he has been pitching in 2006 and this spring training, I'm guessing he's out of the role permanently by June 1.

Where do you think the situation will be by June 1?

[jopatmc]

Dan Wheeler

[tierre_brown]

I think they should give Nieve a shot at it before Estrada...but I don't know anything

[Ottomaton]

I'm pretty sure it has to be Wheeler, but I selected other, as I would like to see my darkhorse candidate, Fernando Nieve, get a try, as he has 'closer stuff' with his fastball/slider.

[Roxfan73]

I like Estrada. He throws in the 90's, and has a devastating forkball/change that is pure filth.

[MadMax]

Lidge

[IROC it]

Lidge, or "Ponch"

[v3.0]

http://blog.kir.com/archives/pujols%20and%20Lidge.jpg

[DonnyMost]

the day the mojo died

RIP swagger :(

[kaleidosky]

thanks for that v3.0. Why don't you post a pic of Don Beebe stepping out of bounds while you're at it?


I think it'll be Lidge. But I don't think "he'll be right and save 40+".

[MadMax]

thanks for that v3.0. Why don't you post a pic of Don Beebe stepping out of bounds while you're at it?



nowhere close to that.

remember, pujols went home...lidge went to the world series and won the pennant.

[russian88]

Poohole's little hacienda in the offseason

http://media.komotv.com/images/070214_balco_building.jpg

[ryan17wagner]

Brad Lidge is traded to the Nationals for Ryan Wanger!

[ryan17wagner]

Brad Lidge is traded to the Nationals for Ryan Wanger!


Ooops. RYAN WAGNER!

[RocketManJosh]

I hope its Lidge because that will mean he's done well.

[Major Malcontent]

I hope we will have the courage to depose him as closer if he performs badly.

My nightmare is that he looks awful...but still manages to close like 70% of his chances and Garner doesn't make the move because it would be upsetting to Brad.

[No Worries]

Wheeler by middle of April.

[Buck Turgidson]

I like Estrada. He throws in the 90's, and has a devastating forkball/change that is pure filth.
He has what Purp described as "the best curveball in the minor league system" and added a splitter last year. He is indeed filthy. "Oooohh man" to quote Purp.

I'd think Wheeler would get the first crack, given that's who they turned to last year for a bit & he has some experience closing games in the bigs The Stros have options in case Lidge can't get it together. Having options going into the season is pretty much all you can ask for when dealing with uncertainties (3B, 2B, RF, CF, back of the rotation, closer).

[Lil Francis]

http://blog.kir.com/archives/pujols%20and%20Lidge.jpgCan you say career ender? Whats Lidge's era since that game? I know its has to be over 4.

[Buck Turgidson]

Can you say career ender? Whats Lidge's era since that game?
Why do you think that - as a guy who is described by all who would know as "mentally tough", a guy who had to suffer/battle through multiple arm surgeries & other injuries in the minors, who once thought his career would be over before he even sniffed the big leagues - this one moment has mentally scarred him beyond repair?

[rhino17]

Wheeler should be the closer, but Gar wont make the move. I think Sampson could make a decent closer too, if all else fails

[Lil Francis]

Why do you think that - as a guy who is described by all who would know as "mentally tough", a guy who had to suffer/battle through multiple arm surgeries & other injuries in the minors, who once thought his career would be over before he even sniffed the big leagues - this one moment has mentally scarred him beyond repair?Im just saying look at Lidge's performance since game 5 of the NLCS. You cant tell me that Pujols' bomb didnt do anything to him.

[Lil Francis]

Why do you think that - as a guy who is described by all who would know as "mentally tough", a guy who had to suffer/battle through multiple arm surgeries & other injuries in the minors, who once thought his career would be over before he even sniffed the big leagues - this one moment has mentally scarred him beyond repair?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN3_h_XKAWg<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GN3_h_XKAWg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GN3_h_XKAWg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>


Another nail in the coffin for Lidge

[bobrek]

Im just saying look at Lidge's performance since game 5 of the NLCS. You cant tell me that Pujols' bomb didnt do anything to him.

If that's the case, why did he start 2006 so well? In his first 7 appearances, he had 4 saves in 4 opportunities, 7 IP, 1 run and 9 Ks.

Shouldn't Pujols HR have affected him to start the season or did he all of a sudden start thinking about it 2 weeks into the season?

[Buck Turgidson]

Im just saying look at Lidge's performance since game 5 of the NLCS. You cant tell me that Pujols' bomb didnt do anything to him.
Yeah, I pretty much can. ;) And am.

[Lil Francis]

If that's the case, why did he start 2006 so well? In his first 7 appearances, he had 4 saves in 4 opportunities, 7 IP, 1 run and 9 Ks.

Shouldn't Pujols HR have affected him to start the season or did he all of a sudden start thinking about it 2 weeks into the season?Before game 5 you could argue that Lidge was the best closer in the game. Since that game he is just average and im pretty sure you hold your breath everytime the Astros are up by one in the 9th with Lidge on the mound. Almost every Astro fan does. I would rather have Wheeler up there.

[Lil Francis]

Yeah, I pretty much can. ;) And am.Well you are hiding from the truth.

[Poloshirtbandit]

Before game 5 you could argue that Lidge was the best closer in the game. Since that game he is just average and im pretty sure you hold your breath everytime the Astros are up by one in the 9th with Lidge on the mound. Almost every Astro fan does. I would rather have Wheeler up there.

No, even the last Cubs series of that season Lidge was having problems. It was going on before the Pujols shot.

[TMac640]

Really, the season starts june 1st? ;)

[Major]

Im just saying look at Lidge's performance since game 5 of the NLCS. You cant tell me that Pujols' bomb didnt do anything to him.

You should look at his performance in the two or so weeks prior to that bomb, when he was already starting to suck.

[DaDakota]

I hope like hell it is Lidge, but I have a sinking feeling that he has lost it for good.

The team can not afford to go another season and let him ruin their confidence by blowing lead after lead.

If he struggles he has to go down to AAA to work it out..

DD

[rezdawg]

All I know is that I'll break everything in my living room the first time Lidge blows a lead...all hell will break loose.

[Lil Francis]

You should look at his performance in the two or so weeks prior to that bomb, when he was already starting to suck.I dont remember him struggling the last 2wks in 05 but for the most part Lidge was maybe the best closer in the MLB that season. He blew past the Braves in the divisonal round and the Pujols blast messed his mind up for some reason. He even gave up a walkoff shot to Podsednik and he didnt hit any homers in the regular season. I guess we have different views on it but I think that Pujols shot is still bothering Lidge to a certain degree.

[BigM]

I dont remember him struggling the last 2wks in 05 but for the most part Lidge was maybe the best closer in the MLB that season. He blew past the Braves in the divisonal round and the Pujols blast messed his mind up for some reason. He even gave up a walkoff shot to Podsednik and he didnt hit any homers in the regular season. I guess we have different views on it but I think that Pujols shot is still bothering Lidge to a certain degree.

this isn't about opinions. the fact is that lidge was struggling well before the pujols blast. people stick that in their memory cause it was one of the most dramatic moments in astros history, but it wasn't the end of lidge. had he gotten that save, he still wouldn't be any different than he is now.

[MadMax]

I dont remember him struggling the last 2wks in 05 but for the most part Lidge was maybe the best closer in the MLB that season. He blew past the Braves in the divisonal round and the Pujols blast messed his mind up for some reason. He even gave up a walkoff shot to Podsednik and he didnt hit any homers in the regular season. I guess we have different views on it but I think that Pujols shot is still bothering Lidge to a certain degree.

i would agree with you....IF:

1. he weren't already struggling coming in to that;

2. the Astros had actually lost that series.

[v3.0]

From my recollection, he was in trouble in the previous games before the Pujols blast, like he allowed some runners on base, was deep in the count before eventually closing them out. The Pujols blast was the crack in the dam that broke it open, and now Lidge is basically Nick Anderson after he missed those FT in the finals, emotionally damaged. Remember Nick was a good FT shooter before that, after that he plummeted to Shaq like level.

[rrj_gamz]

That's old news...Lidge comes back this year, stronger than ever...

[Nice Rollin]

lidge blows!

[msn]

The "Lidge head case" theory has been shot down so many times by so many facts, it's really sad to see people still arguing it. His 2006 wasn't nearly what his 2004 and 2005 were, but it was due to fatigue and poor mechanics, not "Pujols nightmares".

I voted for Lidge, but only out of hope--IF he's in his 2004-2005 form, that means the Astros are probably 1st in the division or very close to it.

[Master Baiter]

lidge blows!
away the competition!

Go Astros!

[DOMINATOR]

the strikes are there... most strikeouts of any reliever in the league last year.
even IF lidge struggles he will be the closer for at least a month and a half.

[Lil Francis]

this isn't about opinions. the fact is that lidge was struggling well before the pujols blast. people stick that in their memory cause it was one of the most dramatic moments in astros history, but it wasn't the end of lidge. had he gotten that save, he still wouldn't be any different than he is now.How bad was Lidge strugging before the postseason? It wasnt that dramatic. He went an entire season with an era of over 5 (2006) and before his era was 1.90 and 2.29. Im not saying Pujols is 100% the factor but you cant tell me that doesnt go through his mind and that it hasnt had anything to do with his struggle since. I just hope the guy doesnt turn into Mitch Williams.

[Major]

How bad was Lidge strugging before the postseason? It wasnt that dramatic. He went an entire season with an era of over 5 (2006) and before his era was 1.90 and 2.29. Im not saying Pujols is 100% the factor but you cant tell me that doesnt go through his mind and that it hasnt had anything to do with his struggle since. I just hope the guy doesnt turn into Mitch Williams.

You can't point to a particular event and say it had a profound impact and caused a guy to start sucking, when he in fact started sucking two weeks before that event.

In the Pujols game, he blew a save. He almost blew one the night before as well except for great defense by the Astros. And he struggled in the previous game from that. And he blew one a week before that. It wasn't a series-ending loss or anything. Two days later, we won again and went to the World Series. What makes you think that one HR caused the damage as opposed to anything else, especially since it was meaningless in the grand scheme of things except for extending a series by 1 game?

[LonghornFan]

Yup, Lidge STILL ******g sucks. :mad:

[Lil Francis]

Yup, Lidge STILL ******g sucks. :mad:Yep. I cant even watch a 1 run game with that dude in there. He's terrible and done.

[Oski2005]

Why do you think that - as a guy who is described by all who would know as "mentally tough", a guy who had to suffer/battle through multiple arm surgeries & other injuries in the minors, who once thought his career would be over before he even sniffed the big leagues - this one moment has mentally scarred him beyond repair?

Apparently.

[SuperYanthrax]

All I know is that I'll break everything in my living room the first time Lidge blows a lead...all hell will break loose.

How's your living room looking today?

[Surfguy]

How's your living room looking today?

I think he died when the entertainment center fell on him. LOL

[BrieflySpeaking]

All I know is that I'll break everything in my living room the first time Lidge blows a lead...all hell will break loose.
lmao, the first game and hell broke loose

[Lil Francis]

You can't point to a particular event and say it had a profound impact and caused a guy to start sucking, when he in fact started sucking two weeks before that event.

In the Pujols game, he blew a save. He almost blew one the night before as well except for great defense by the Astros. And he struggled in the previous game from that. And he blew one a week before that. It wasn't a series-ending loss or anything. Two days later, we won again and went to the World Series. What makes you think that one HR caused the damage as opposed to anything else, especially since it was meaningless in the grand scheme of things except for extending a series by 1 game?Nobody knows the exact truth but Lidge himself but IMO i think it did mess with his mind a little. No matter what we think is bothering him we all can agree that he has been terrible for awhile now and is hurting the team. I wasnt too pissed about Qualls giving up that 2 run because he sucks anyway but when a player like Lidge starts to suck this bad then it concerns me alot.

[rezdawg]

All I know is that I'll break everything in my living room the first time Lidge blows a lead...all hell will break loose.

My effing playstation controller is cracked...still works though. And coke splashed against my window.

EDIT

I was actually more calm than I thought...I think its because I wasnt shocked. I dont think its really settled in yet. I may wake up in the middle of the night and do some damage.

[BrieflySpeaking]

My effing playstation controller is cracked...still works though. And coke splashed against my window.

EDIT

I was actually more calm than I thought...I think its because I wasnt shocked. I dont think its really settled in yet. I may wake up in the middle of the night and do some damage.
lmao same here, im not as pissed as i imagined, but im going to wake up tomorrow morning with a bitter taste in my mouth..

[Nice Rollin]

http://blog.kir.com/archives/pujols%20and%20Lidge.jpg
what a great pic.....


watching lidge is just comical now...i want him to stay in houston. its funny to me

[Zac D]

http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper410/stills/o8lx9d09.jpg

[arkoe]

I just turn the tv off and consider the game over now when Lidge come in.

[hatemavs4life]

How's your living room looking today?

I wonder if he blew up his house after Qualls' yanker in extra innings? :D

[bchapman101]

Qualls sucks more than Lidge believe it or not, it was that way all last year too. Qualls always came in non-game situations and mowed 'em down, but when he came in with a small lead he would ALWAYS blow it. I yelled that all year last year everytime he did it. Lidge sucks. Qualls sucks worse.

[Major]

Qualls sucks more than Lidge believe it or not, it was that way all last year too. Qualls always came in non-game situations and mowed 'em down, but when he came in with a small lead he would ALWAYS blow it. I yelled that all year last year everytime he did it. Lidge sucks. Qualls sucks worse.

Yeah, he was horrible in close games. That's how he ended up with a 7-3 record. :confused: You should go back and look at his actual results, instead of simply your memory of his failures.

[Nick]

Yeah, he was horrible in close games. That's how he ended up with a 7-3 record. :confused: You should go back and look at his actual results, instead of simply your memory of his failures.

He had 6 blown saves... for a SET UP guy, with less overall save opportunities and rarely a chance in the 9th inning, that's unheard of and just as (if not more so) pathetic.

Lidge's issues are a sick combination of mentality, physicality, and flat-out cursed luck.... but at least he was at one point the best in the game (even though that should never be the excuse for continuing to trot him out there).

Qualls was never the best set-up guy in the game, and he's been struggling with consistency his whole career. If he keeps the ball down, he's amazing... when he lets it hang up its almost a HR or XBH every single time. No middle ground.

The Estrada era is earning nearer.

[Major]

He had 6 blown saves... for a SET UP guy, with less overall save opportunities and rarely a chance in the 9th inning, that's unheard of and just as (if not more so) pathetic.


It's not unheard of - it happens all the time. If he comes in during the 7th or 8th and gives up the lead, he gets a blown save. Almost all set up guys have several blown saves and very few saves. Unfortunately, you can get a blown save in a non-save opportunity as a setup guy.

[Major]

It's not unheard of - it happens all the time. If he comes in during the 7th or 8th and gives up the lead, he gets a blown save. Almost all set up guys have several blown saves and very few saves. Unfortunately, you can get a blown save in a non-save opportunity as a setup guy.

For example, Linebrink - one of SD's bigtime setup men - had 9 blown saves last year, and 5 the year before (with a 1.8 ERA). Setup men pitch primarily in close games in non-save opportunities. So anytime they give up a run, they have a decent chance of getting a blown save.

[Nick]

It's not unheard of - it happens all the time. If he comes in during the 7th or 8th and gives up the lead, he gets a blown save. Almost all set up guys have several blown saves and very few saves. Unfortunately, you can get a blown save in a non-save opportunity as a setup guy.

I think you meant to say that he can get a blown save that's not in the 9th innning... but its still very much a save opportunity. I'm not saying he's bad because he doesn't have a lot of saves... he only gets a chance to get holds. But, in 2005 he had ZERO blown saves, while pitching the same amount of late innings/holds as 2006. That's not consistency.

And I know several Padres fans who HATED Linebrink, and have just as little faith in him as Houston fans now do in Lidge/Qualls. He also got a few of those 9 BS in actual 9th inning opportunities (since Hoffman can't be trotted out there every night). And I do aknowledge that the 9th inning is much tougher than the 7th or 8th (and thus I expect better BS numbers from whoever is pitching in that spot).

[Master Baiter]

I was at the game last night and it was horrible. Two quick outs and you start to get just a little bit of hope going and then kaboom. I'm not one to call for peoples heads or for trades but something absolutely has to be done about the bullpen. I don't think anyone has any confidence whatsoever in Lidge.

[NJRocket]

I was at the game last night and it was horrible. Two quick outs and you start to get just a little bit of hope going and then kaboom. I'm not one to call for peoples heads or for trades but something absolutely has to be done about the bullpen. I don't think anyone has any confidence whatsoever in Lidge.


I dont think that LIdge even has confidence in Lidge anymore. The routine where he is quoted after a blown save saying how he thought he made a good pitch and how he's fine etc is getting old.

I think Wheels needs a shot...or Nieve perhaps...but I think Lidge, im sad to say, is done.

[DaDakota]

Lidge's fastball is straight...it is just flat out STR8.......it has no movement at all and players are sitting back, waiting on it.

Lidge should be throwing 80% sliders - but that would mean he has to throw them for strikes, and he can't.

The league has caught on, his time is up. Lidge is done. Time for someone else.

The team can not afford to let the bullpen blow lead after lead and cause them to lose confidence as a team.

Lidge is a shell of his former self......ironically trading him to an American league team would probably be a good thing, they don't know him over there, so he would probably be successful for a time...before they figured him out.

If he had a curveball, or an offspeed pitch, he could recover, but with only 2 pitches, he is done.

DD

[NJRocket]

.ironically trading him to an American league team would probably be a good thing, they don't know him over there, so he would probably be successful for a time...before they figured him out.



then again....it only took the White Sox 9 innings and a couple of game films to figure him out...

[weslinder]

Lidge's fastball is straight...it is just flat out STR8.......it has no movement at all and players are sitting back, waiting on it.

Lidge should be throwing 80% sliders - but that would mean he has to throw them for strikes, and he can't.

If he had a curveball, or an offspeed pitch, he could recover, but with only 2 pitches, he is done.

This has always been true. Before, no one could tell his fastball from his slider. Last year, some midseason pickup (Joe McEwing?) told him how he was tipping his slider, and he fixed it. He put it together for a few months. Someone put some tape together and figure it out for him.

[Saint Louis]

http://blog.kir.com/archives/pujols%20and%20Lidge.jpg

Death comes in many forms. For Lidge it came in a Pujols homerun that day.

How long are the Astros going to keep putting Lidge out there?

[justtxyank]

I honestly don't think it has anything to do with Pujols. It has to do with stuff.

When he was dominating, hitters were swinging at that slider that didn't sniff the plate. Now, hitters lay off the slider and force him to give them cookie fastballs in the zone. The only time they swing at a slider is if it's a get me over pitch (also known as a hanger.) What does this lead to? Higher walk totals and higher hr totals.

He's never really thrown that slider for strikes, hitters just swung at in the past. The league adjusted.

[rhester]

Lidge's fastball is straight...it is just flat out STR8.......it has no movement at all and players are sitting back, waiting on it.

Lidge should be throwing 80% sliders - but that would mean he has to throw them for strikes, and he can't.

The league has caught on, his time is up. Lidge is done. Time for someone else.

The team can not afford to let the bullpen blow lead after lead and cause them to lose confidence as a team.

Lidge is a shell of his former self......ironically trading him to an American league team would probably be a good thing, they don't know him over there, so he would probably be successful for a time...before they figured him out.

If he had a curveball, or an offspeed pitch, he could recover, but with only 2 pitches, he is done.

DD

Excellent post.
I agree with your analysis and Garner is aware of this also. I don't think Garner knows what to do as yet. If Lidge gets a save next time out, then he will get a reprieve. If he blows his next save he will force Garner's hand.

[dsnow23]

I'm hardly a glass half full guy. But, Lidge pitched pretty well I thought. The guy hit a home run on a good pitch. It's not like he hung one over the middle of the plate. I'm not going to panic just yet. He does need to start getting the sliders closer to the strike zone though.

[bchapman101]

Yeah, he was horrible in close games. That's how he ended up with a 7-3 record. :confused: You should go back and look at his actual results, instead of simply your memory of his failures.

dont try to talk down to me with your smug sarcasm, its an ugly personality; why dont YOU go look and check how many times Qualls gave up 2 or 3 run homers last year to blow a lead, and by the way 7-3 doesnt mean squat for a reliever because alot of those wins come by BLOWING a lead and staying in the game and the team comes back and wins

[Major]

dont try to talk down to me with your smug sarcasm, its an ugly personality; why dont YOU go look and check how many times Qualls gave up 2 or 3 run homers last year to blow a lead, and by the way 7-3 doesnt mean squat for a reliever because alot of those wins come by BLOWING a lead and staying in the game and the team comes back and wins

In his 7 wins last year, he gave up a combined 0 runs (with no blown saves). Perhaps you're the one that needs to look at the record instead of just making stuff up?

[bchapman101]

In his 7 wins last year, he gave up a combined 0 runs (with no blown saves). Perhaps you're the one that needs to look at the record instead of just making stuff up?

and the crucial multiple run homers??? did I make those up?? are you Chad Qualls or his mother?

[Baseballa]

Rick White for closer! :cool:

[Major]

and the crucial multiple run homers??? did I make those up?? are you Chad Qualls or his mother?

I have no interest in looking at all the games he gave up runs in to see if they were crucial or not. The other part was easy to scan, and showed that you make up stuff and post nonsense. I'm not really sure why I'd take your thoughts on Qualls seriously at that point, given that fact.

[bchapman101]

I have no interest in looking at all the games he gave up runs in to see if they were crucial or not. The other part was easy to scan, and showed that you make up stuff and post nonsense. I'm not really sure why I'd take your thoughts on Qualls seriously at that point, given that fact.

you dont have to look it up if you watched the games last year, you would just remember, like when Qualls gave up the grand slam to Konerko in the World Series, was that crucial??? stop being such an azz dude, Ive seen your posts many times, its like you wait in the weeds and attack whenever you can

[Groogrux]

are you Chad Qualls or his mother?

dont try to talk down to him with your smug sarcasm, its an ugly personality...

[bchapman101]

dont try to talk down to him with your smug sarcasm, its an ugly personality...

who began? and who are you?

[bchapman101]

I have no interest in looking at all the games he gave up runs in to see if they were crucial or not. The other part was easy to scan, and showed that you make up stuff and post nonsense. I'm not really sure why I'd take your thoughts on Qualls seriously at that point, given that fact.

oh and since you love stats so much, who led the league in stikeouts per 9 innings last year?? Lidge did, but he was terrible. Stats dont mean everything.

[Major]

you dont have to look it up if you watched the games last year, you would just remember, like when Qualls gave up the grand slam to Konerko in the World Series, was that crucial??? stop being such an azz dude, Ive seen your posts many times, its like you wait in the weeds and attack whenever you can

One game doesn't represent a season.

[Lil Francis]

you dont have to look it up if you watched the games last year, you would just remember, like when Qualls gave up the grand slam to Konerko in the World Series, was that crucial??? stop being such an azz dude, Ive seen your posts many times, its like you wait in the weeds and attack whenever you can
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKjDoRfJw-Q<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKjDoRfJw-Q"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKjDoRfJw-Q" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[Major]

oh and since you love stats so much, who led the league in stikeouts per 9 innings last year?? Lidge did, but he was terrible. Stats dont mean everything.

Who said they did? I just pointed out that you made up completely untrue statistics to make your argument. Fake stats don't mean anything.

[LonghornFan]

One game doesn't represent a season.

Bagwell, is that you?

[Major]

you dont have to look it up if you watched the games last year, you would just remember, like when Qualls gave up the grand slam to Konerko in the World Series, was that crucial??? stop being such an azz dude, Ive seen your posts many times, its like you wait in the weeds and attack whenever you can

And yes, I "wait in the weeds" and attack people who make up nonsense to justify an argument. If you don't like being attacked, don't make up stuff like claiming someone's wins only came because of blowing leads when that in fact was not the case even once.

[LonghornFan]

Dude, smack me next. I'm totally high on NyQuil.

[bchapman101]

One game doesn't represent a season.

of course it doesnt, we actually agree on something, but it was just an example of a time that he blew one, because you say I make everything up, also check last year against Arizona, I remember Qualls giving up a homer to lose

[Major]

of course it doesnt, we actually agree on something, but it was just an example of a time that he blew one, because you say I make everything up, also check last year against Arizona, I remember Qualls giving up a homer to lose

I never said you make everything up. I said you make some stuff up, and if you have to do that, it makes me wonder about the rest of the argument. If an argument is strong, it would need made-up facts to bolster it.

[bchapman101]

I never said you make everything up. I said you make some stuff up, and if you have to do that, it makes me wonder about the rest of the argument. If an argument is strong, it would need made-up facts to bolster it.

alright alright lets just forget the whole thing and say we need better relievers

[Saint Louis]

Lidge is ruined! The NL owns him. RIP!

[Major]

alright alright lets just forget the whole thing and say we need better relievers

Fair enough. :) And yes, our bullpen is going to have to perform much better or this is going to be a long season. It's disappointing that our "big 3" all contributed to the two losses so far.

[foo82]

I dont know why everyone brings up the Pujols homerun as the turning point. He's been having trouble before that. In the playoffs, there were quite a few times where he almost blew it (before Pujols). I could tell he was struggling. He would always give up at least a hit or two before retiring the side. His collapse was something that was bound to happen.

[msn]

I dont know why everyone brings up the Pujols homerun as the turning point. He's been having trouble before that. In the playoffs, there were quite a few times where he almost blew it (before Pujols). I could tell he was struggling. He would always give up at least a hit or two before retiring the side.
Exactly. I wish there were more people, especially the idiots that work for FSN and ESPN, that were aware of this. Talk about making stuff up; the mediots make a living making stuff up.

[Precision340]

LOL = Lights On Lidge

Teams are privy to his pitches... slider, slider, fastball... that's all he's got and that's what they're sittin and waiting for. When he's behind in a count you already know he's coming with a fastball. I truly hope he gets it together.

[russian88]

Lidge needs a restraining order, he shouldnt be allowed inside any ballpark.

[rodrick_98]

Lidge needs a restraining order, he shouldnt be allowed inside any ballpark.


Brad Lidge 2007 salary: $5,350,000 :eek:

[bchapman101]

In his 7 wins last year, he gave up a combined 0 runs (with no blown saves). Perhaps you're the one that needs to look at the record instead of just making stuff up?

This was a post defending Qualls. Funny how this exact same thing happened today. Qualls comes in, blows the lead, and guess what? he gets the win. (Barring another 9th inning blunder)

[Uprising]

I said Wheeler ....what do I win?

[leroy420]

I said Wheeler ....what do I win?

You win....















Absolutely nothing.

[No Worries]

Wheeler by middle of April.
My optimism sometimes gets the better of me.

[Supermac34]

The most effective pitch in baseball is still the fastball. If you can spot it and throw with the velocity that Lidge throws it, nobody can touch you, even if they know its coming.

If you can't spot it, and you don't know where its going, you are going to leave it over the plate and you are dead in the majors.

The biggest single problem is the lack of spotting the fastball. If he could control where it was going, he could only throw fastballs and still be effective.

Its obvious he still has "stuff." He strikes out a ton of people and throws in the high 90s. But once you lose control, if you can't get it back, you are toast.

[fredthered]

Why do you think that - as a guy who is described by all who would know as "mentally tough", a guy who had to suffer/battle through multiple arm surgeries & other injuries in the minors, who once thought his career would be over before he even sniffed the big leagues - this one moment has mentally scarred him beyond repair?
And the weird thing is that that was on a hanging slider, yet it has now been his fastball that is getting hammered.