Give Lidge Another Chance or Let Oswalt/Bullpen Finish?

I'd be happy to see Qualls and Wheeler finish the game with a 2 or 3 run lead. Qualls has just had some plain nasty stuff as of late.

 

2-3 run lead doesn't mean much, I'm more interested on what the "scenario" would be in terms of Roy O's pitches/ER.

If he's got one of those 83 pitch shutout 7K games in him, you let him go the whole game. 1 Run, you bring lidge in the 8th if Roy gets in trouble, if not, in the 9th.. 2 Runs, Wheeler/Lidge close out the game.

 

This is a ridiculous poll. Of course you give it to Lidge, for two innings if necessary. You don't stop going to Lidge because of one bad outing...

 

I'd give lidge the chance to redeem at any rate, just hope to GOD he doesn't blow it again.

although when it comes down to it , qualls does indeed have some filthy stuff as of late as longhornfan said

so I dunno


ultimately, I guess we'll have to trust whoever Garner brings in

edit: on a side note, anyone else make the connection that this has now happened TWICE after berkman puts us ahead with the go-ahead HR? (cubbies, cards)

 

Mentally, it's damn hard to recover from moments like that. Just ask Bill Buckner, Stan Belinda, and Nick the brick Anderson.

 

You play it like every other must win game. If Oswalt is tiring, you go to Lidge. If Oswalt is still strong, you stay with him. Lidge isn't Buckner, Belinda, or Anderson. Lidge is one of the premier closers in all of baseball. He's legit.

 

mariano rivera, game 7, ws against d-backs.

he recovered quite well

 

Closers are conditioned to forget these moments.

This was 3 straight games, 4 games in 5 days for Lidge, and 5 innings in 5 days. That's a lot for any closer, especially considering he also had some really high stress innings in the Atlanta series as well. The day off will do him good, and hopefully the couple days we can get in between series.

 

a good point actually lol

lidge hasn't been infallible at all this series

that being said though, the diehard fan in me says let lidge pitch again but let roy go as long as possible if he's pitching well

 

He pitched 3 straight days in a row. That was Garners fault. He has had a day of rest now.. but if it's Puljols... I wouldn't pitch to him regardless of who the pitcher is.

 

Lidge is your closer. He is one of the best in the game. You also got a strong supporting cast behind with Wheeler and Qualls. If Roy can go the distance, you let him. If his pitch count is high and he's laboring in the 7th or 8th, you bring in Qualls and Wheeler..then you give it to Lidge in the 9th..if its a close game. You don't start changing what has worked all season (and last). Astros are what... 84-2 after the 8th for a reason.

 

You're ******* right. Game 5 does not change the way you use Brad Lidge one whit.

 

Game 7 up by one runners on first and second, Pujols up. I'll live and die with Lidge's heater and slider. Period.

 

Have to stick with what got you here.

 

Don't worry. Roy Oswalt is a gamer - this is where he pitches a nice complete game and gives up 0 runs. He makes his mark and establishes himself nationally as the best of the Astros pitchers. He knows what's up - he's the guy who's not going to take any crap from the ghosts of Houston history - he's this team's version of Hakeem (or maybe Cassell...?).

Believe, baby, believe.

 

He is the closer. I'd put him.

Now say we're up by 3 runs or so. Lidge clearly doesn't have control of the pitches.

I wouldn't hesitate to put in a backe or rocket to finish it off.

 

You give it to Lidge, so he can redeem himself by finishing off the Cardinals and Busch Stadium forever.

 

Exactly. Last thing we need going into Chicago is Lidge thinking the team has doubts about him.