What's the difference between using Lidge and having him throw 20 warm up pitches? And he wasn't just lofting them either. Wheeler and Qualls could pitch in consecutive games. Saving Lidge should be paramount because we may need him for 2 + innings in several games.
Its just different... that's why. Just like you can't simulate a NBA or NFL game in practice (and that's why guys who are injured are always winded in their first games back, despite practicing for days), you can't put the same effort into a warm-up pitch that you would if you're in a critical game-saving situation. Plus, its better to have Lidge warmed up and ready to go in case things get hairy in a hurry (which could have happened... even if you're up 6, a bases loaded/nobody out/Andruw Jones at the plate warrants Lidge coming in). All in all, I was expecting Lidge to have to throw TWO innings today, and still be ready to go tommorow... if he only had to throw warm-up pitches, I'd take that every single time. (btw... with an off-day friday, Lidge can throw as much as he needs to right now... its the weekend games that you may have to 'watch' him better, since you have to play 3 games in a row).
Maybe you've never pitched but there's a huge difference between warm up throws and pitching in an actual game situation with the adrenaline flowing. Trust me, Lidge is fine.
It is the playoffs he has ALL off season to rest.... If he has to pitch in 10 more Houston victories, all back to back...so be it. DD
HELL Yeah. WOO! I'm sitting here at work and I was trying my hardest not to scream out when Palmeiro hit that near-bomb. I can't wait to get home and watch the game.
Hell yes biatches!!! Just got back from the local tavarn. What a way to start the series. I'm feeling a sweep!
Plus what those announcers seem to forget was that Lidge was literally our bullpen last year. Garner wasn't shy about using him 2 and even 3 innings, sometimes back to back to back. And Lidge was just fine. Throwing a warmup session in the pen ain't gonna harm him one bit. If anything it'll keep him nice and loose and ready to go perhaps tomorrow. Stupid ESPN announcers trying to find some moral victory for the Braves.
1. This will probably be the only game in the entire playoffs where we blow out a team so Lidge will pitch a lot (every game we win or have a shot of winning) assuming we go far. 2. Obviously he's not going to throw as hard warming up as he would on the mound. However, he does throw hard enough where if he had to come in right away, he's at full power so it's not exactly pitch and catch. 3. We need him at maximum velocity. Of course any effect would not be immediate, but if he's called upon for 20+ innings, we need to rest him every game we can.
What a great game...I'm glad we scored a crap load of runs...I was tired of hearing of John "Lard Ass" Kruk saying we can't score...The post season is a different time and we looked really good...I don't expect to see a drop-off as we are going all the way...
I can only add my voice to the chorus of praise. If our bats keep working like this, we will have smoothe sailing. Go Stros!
My fortune cookie says that today will be a good day. Clemens will not bow to Smoltz. It's in the Karma. 2-0 baby!!!
Wheeler had a pretty good run in the playoffs last year too. 8 innings pitched , 0 runs, 4 hits, 9 Ks.
