Dotel is NOT a closer

Agree, Dotel doesent even have the blazing stuff to become an great closer unlike Lidge, and i think he lacks the mentallity of a closer.

 

Ah, a DaDa "kick em when they're down thread."

 

Hey, he leaves the Texans alone! Of course, I think he may whip out a beauty at some point next season.

 

Well I'm not here to defend Dotel, even though he has some impressive stats for a set up guy. You have a history though, so I can't be held responsible if I missed some previous Dotel bashing.


I haven't been catching the 'Stros lately. It seems when my viewing of games fell, they started this crappy run they are on. I need to watch more games and turn things around.

 

I agree, Dotel has shown a history of inconsistency as a closer. This year, last year when he closed games in place of Wagner, and in 2001 when Wagner got beaned by the line drive and was out. The Astros had a lead in Milwaukee Sunday and almost lost it and lost tonight's lead. Of course, who becomes the other setup guy (with Dotel) if Lidge was to be given some chances to close?

 

This is indeed the biggest surprise for me this season (bigger than Clemens' 9-0 start and Everett's above expectable batting average so far).

I never expected to see a mentally weak Dotel. I actually bought into Charlie Pololo's theory or rather hypothesis that anyy descent major league pitcher could be a serviceable closer.

I was wrong.

Dotel freaks me out watching him pitch. I am sad. There is hope though but common.....maybe he is injured - that is the only logical explanation to what we are seeing now. He was nearly unhittable last season.

He looks so unsure now and unintimidating.

I am grudgingly ready to see Lidge take over. I hope it all works out goo for our beloved team.

In all it is better for our team to struggle now and shake off the cobwebs before the end of the trade deadline. Major overhauling and changes needs to be done.

Go 'Stros!!!

 

How regurgitory of you, DaDa, I was expecting a "Move Berkman out of the 3 Hole" thread.

 

I was at the game tonight where Dotel Blew it! The worst part was everyone around me saw it coming because we only had a 1 run lead. There were so many Cubs fans there it was ridiculous. It reminded me of when the Braves used to come in town. When Dotel came in the "Lets go Cubs" chants were load and obnoxious. But in the end, they won.

We have 2 great setup men, but no real pitcher with the mentality needed to finish a game. It's time to trade for John Smoltz. Let the trade rumors begin!

 

How would switching the roles of Lidge and Dotel affect team chemistry?

 

I like the move of making Dotel the setup guy again, with Lidge as the closer.

Dotel has the physical tools to be a closer. He just does not have the mentality to be one. When he had Wags to clean things up, he could let loose, relax, and let his stuff fly. This year, it's all up to him, and he can't handle the pressure. Perhaps as the season progresses, he'll be able to handle it better. But I don't think we have the luxury of waiting.

I liked the 1-2-3 combo of Lidge-Dotel-Wagner last year. I wonder who is available that we can bring in?

 

I think we need to give Lidge a shot at closing before he gets to confortable with the 7th/8th inning....he needs to be put in bigger spots. I think part of the problem with dotel is that he got too cozy with his set-up role and probably didn't ever figure to be "the man". Now, he is going to be asked to close games for veteran pitchers in a pennant race and I just don't think he has the killer instinct. I think we need to put him back where he is comfortable and give Lidge a shot.

 

I'm giving Dotel a pass for the blown save last night, due to Berkman's error. Yeah, he could have pitched around that, but it didn't happen. However, the loss it still on him because after the first run scored, he still should have been able to buckle down and keep the game tied.

But the real blame for the loss goes on the offense. We failed to push home runners at third with less than two outs on three different occasions last night. Heck, Lane was left stranded in the eighth after a leadoff triple. We get that run, and maybe Dotel is a little more relaxed in the 9th.

 

Berkman gets the bulk of the blame for last night.

Runner on 2nd with 1 out and he strikes out.

Bases loaded with 1 out and he strikes out.

Runnner on first with no outs and he grounds into the double play.

Then of course the error.

 

also, while Lidge shows flashes of pur brilliance, he has been every bit as sketchy as Dotelt his year.

Micelli has been the rock in the bullpen.

 

Errors and walks cause things to tumble everytime. I blame that on the error too.