I've said it before, I'll say it again. Wagner can't hold Lidge's jock!!!! Wagner was a HUGE reason why the Astros lost those heartbreaking playoff series in the late 90s and early 00s. Because guys like Biggio just sit back and gear up for his fastball. Did Biggio recently rewatch the Chipper Jones playoff HR on tape recently for scouting purposes? or the Leyritz HR? Another blown save in a big game for Billy. Man, have we Astros fans seen that before.
Loved the game. Loved the Wags HR pitch. Loved that Bigg (yes, I still think he's at, or past, the end -- keep making me look dorky, CB!) hit the winner. Still 'love' Billy Wags. Still 'wish' he were here. Still 'wish' I had his future.
If there was any question of Biggio coming back here next year, that one AB ended that. Got to be one of his biggest HR in his career. What a way to head into Milwaukee....you know Florida has to be pissed and Philly has to be sick to their stomach. This is an absolutely devastating loss and one that will stick with them for awhile (especially with their fans). With this win, it's to me a two team race: the Stros and the Fish.
Great game, great series. We are now in the right direction again. Go Astros, keep it up good boys, you are the bests.
And we kept sole possession of the Wild Card lead..... 1 slim game.....but better than being 1 behind.
Astros 75-64 --- Marlins 74-65 1.0 Phillies 73-67 2.5 Nats 72-68 3.5 Mets 70-69 5.0 I personally feel bad for Wagner. What he said at the end of his last season with us two years ago certainly rang true enough at the time. He pitched his ass off for us for 10 years. Cut a little slack, people. As for the Astro's, should be a fun three weeks...
I remember the days when the "Astros are done" bandwagoners were everywhere. Of course, it was just three days ago and they'll be back after the next Astros lost. That's OK, I'm keeping a list.
So was Lee Smith at one point... so was Jose Mesa at one point... Billy Wagner is about where those two were (production wise), except that he gets paid like he's a Rivera, and talks like he's the team captain. I'm more upset at the way Wagner decides to talk/judge/criticize/complain about everything from the team's personnel decision, to the stadium, to his never-ending need for more money on a contract. You never really hear the other elite pitchers in the game constantly haggling over money like Billy does, especially not the other pitchers who only pitch one inning per game. And even after all that... I would never trust Wags in a playoff game simply because hitters are just that much more focused to hit those fastballs no matter how hard they're coming. Its the off-speed Lidge/K-Rod sliders, Rivera Cutters, Smoltz splitters, and Foulke changeups that succeed come post-season... not a one-pitch pitcher like Wagner.
just a random question but, ensberg's due back next series right? just rested the remainder of this philly series?
When Wagner's fastball has movement, he's as hard to hit as anyone in baseball. But late in seasons and in the playoffs, he always seems hitable. Lidge is the kind of closer who turns it up a notch in Sept/Oct. I don't hate Wagner, but I never fully trusted him as closer like Lidge and his big mouth makes him seem like a jerk. He puts his right to say whatever he wants before the team. Yes, he did well while he was here, but I'm glad he's gone and don't want him back.
isn't rivera mainly a one pitch pitcher as well though with that cutter? or does he throw something else these days?
Man, Biggio's 1st AB against his good friend -- a 9th inning 3 run BLAST to win a big game. On top of that, Wagner's never beat the Astros. Nice picture.
Hillarious fact and quote about tonights game in an article on espn.com....... Making matters worse for Philadelphia's All-Star closer, Biggio just signed a jersey for Wagner's son. "Here you go, son, here's a jersey from the guy who just homered off your dad," said Wagner, who got the loss for the second straight game after not facing Houston the first nine times the teams met since he was traded to Philadelphia in 2003. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250907122
First of all, his 4 seamer is still better than most other guy's out there... 96-97 with great movement. Secondly, you can't compare a "cutter" of Rivera's with any of Wagner's fastballs. Third of all, Rivera is pretty hittable now... and was most definitely hittable in the playoffs last year... but he'll always be remembered as one of the all-time greatest closers. He wouldn't have been as successful had he just thrown a fastball 98 % of the time. He had to have that cutter.
Forget about movement... Wagner decided to challenge Biggio with an inside fastball. An INSIDE fastball. After the amount he's probably watched Biggio throughout his career, he probably knows that you can beat him a 100 other ways... but one of the only ways he can go deep off you is by turning on the inside fastball (which is what Biggio did with great authority). I give Craig all the credit in the world for being ready to hit it, but that fastball could not have been served up any better on a tee.
