What do you guys think of Brad Lidge? I believe if he stay's healthy he is going to play a key part in our bullpen. With him and Dotel that is an excellent LR combo. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Astros let Wagner go next year, and have Lidge set up for Dotel.
I'm starting to love Brad. He came in tonight and struck out the side in the 7th inning...one of those Ks involved Jim Edmonds. How can you not love a guy that strikes out Jim Edmonds? What surprises me about Lidge is that he has pitched so well so quickly this season. Everyone knew he had electric stuff, but I thought he would struggle a bit to start out and wouldn't be given any really important innings. Props to Jimy for having the guts to throw a rookie like Lidge out there for some HUGE innings so far this season.
If by the reference to 'LR' combo you mean that Lidge is left handed, he isn't. He is a right hander as well.
Our bullpen is pitching great so far. That was the big question mark of the team. Those guys are stepping up.
I hope this doesn't turn into another Scott Elarton situation. Overwork a guy in the bullpen too long, and he eventually blows out his arm when he becomes a starter.
Lidge should never be a starter. This guy will never pitch 200 innings. Working in the bullpen can blow your arm out too if used too often. Working 1 inning every other game should be the modus operandi.
Lidge was a starter in the minor leagues until the organization turned him into a reliever. However, I believe he went back to starting at some point last year when he was in the minors. I would not be suprised to see the Astros try him as a starter again. His stuff is nasty. However, I can also easily see him stepping into Dotel's role if we end up trading Wagner in the off season.
If anything, Chen looks like he will be unemployed by midseason. In 2 of his 3 outings, he has given up 2 runs.
Guys who are slated as major league starters are almost always starters in the minors so that they can get more consistant work in game situations. That would also be the reason why he was moved back to being a starter in order to make up for lost time. If I'm not mistaken, the types of pitches he throws make him much more likely to be a good reliever than a starter, with the "+" fastball and slider, complimented by an only average change. Typically, guys who have that compliment of pitches get killed the third or fourth time through the order (see Ocatvio Dotel).
on the issue of Lidge being a starter: the astros would love for him to become one at some point, but so far with his injury riddled past, they would rather him come from the bullpen. This is the first time in a while that he has been healthy. Later in the season if some starters aren't cutting it, I think they will first look to Munro, and as a last option, restort to Lidge. If he has a wonderful, injury free season from the bullpen, look for the Astro's to pencil him in as a starter for next year.
