Yup. Astros lost because they were stupid. Stupid for walking Edmonds to bring Pujols to bat. Stupid for pitching to Pujols instead of intentionally walking him. Stupid Astros deserved to lose.
I haven't been keeping up too much with the NLCS and caught the highlights this morning on ESPN. I am just glad that I am not a big Astros fan or I would have been throwing some stuff last night. It could have been worse - it could have been Game 7 instead of Game 5. The last time I cried was Game 7 of that ****ing 2003 ALCS when dip**** Grady Little didn't pull Pedro like any competent manager would. I still think the Astros win this series.
And I agree that the walk to Edmonds was a killer and that it was incredibly stupid to pitch to Pujols - you have to pitch around him or intentionally walk him. Maybe Garner was uncomfortable about putting the winning run on base, but still this is Pujols - arguably the greatest hitter in the game right now. Make journeyman Reggie Sanders beat you, not a guy who you expect to get the big hit in a situation like that. But I think people are overlooking that little pest, Eckstein. He just boggles my mind about how he battles and looks so overmatched, but yet he was the one that kept things alive. If Lidge gets him out like so many people thought he would (me included), you don't even worry about guys like Edmonds and Pujols. Too bad that the Red Sox SS (and former Cardinal) can't come through with clutch plays like that.
Probably, but until last year, 86 years would say otherwise. I mean that is almost doubled the Astros' years of existence. Like I said, just be glad it wasn't Game 7.
How many World Series did you go to in that time? MM, I forgot '86 somehow. I guess game 4 of the NLDS washed that memory away. That's definitely #2 for me.
last night was my personal worst houston sports moment and it's not even close. i think i almost cried. if we don't make it to the world series i will still love the astros and still love this team but it would be f@#king hard to watch them play. that said, i;m trying to view this game as standard operating procedure for the 05' 'stros. how could this team that has taken every difficult route to get this far not have this happen? they'll bounce back. i'll take lidge over any pitcher in baseball in that situation 10 out of 10 times and i still feel the same way. he's not a robot. mariano rivera blew game 7 of the world series and he's still the greatest closer ever. **** happens and it's a little comforting that lidge seems to have the perfact attitude to get past this.
Oswalt has to pitch a complete game for us to win. Clemens is not able to pitch a complate game at this point of his career. Our only chance is Game 6. Why, because we have no closer anymore. Lidge is done. Not done for the game, or this series. He is done for his career. There is something lost (the Nick Andersone Syndrome). Lidge will never be the same again. He may still have good games here and there, but as a closer he is done. Lidge hasn't been playing well lately anyway. In Game 3 he gave up one run, in Game 4 he nearly blew it but got bailed out by the sensational double play. Now this.
When they said "Lights Out" Lidge . . . I didn't think they meant the lights in the rafters of Minute Maid.
4 in 86 years which, I think, is pretty comparable to 0 in 43 years. I just hope the Astros players haven't given up like some of the fans (not saying you or Max but the ones who are saying that Lidge will never be the same, etc.) have seemed to.
jump to conclusions much? what you're saying COULD happen. but it didn't happen to Mariano Rivera after last season's debacle. Lidge's makeup is very different than Mitch Williams or Mark Wohlers. He's just a different guy than them.
No, I have not given up hopes for the team, I still hope they can win in Game 6. But if it goes to Game 7, I really don't think we have a chance (St. Louis will have all the momentum, at home). As for Lidge, I am sorry but the game like last night simply takes a lot out of a person. Espeically for a closer, the mental toughness is paramount. There will always be a trace of lingering doubt in his confidence, to say the least. Lidge has been shaky lately, this may well have been the final defining moment. Time will tell.
