Where does Lidge rank right now among MLB closers? Outside of Rivera, Smoltz, and Gagne, I can't think of anyone else I'de want on the mound out there. Also, didn't he beak the record for strikeouts by a reliever a few nights ago?
FWIW, here are his fantasy comparison rankings: Eric Gagne 1900.50 Johan Santana 1877 Randy Johnson 1851 Mariano Rivera 1710 Brad Lidge 1505 Edit: This is from mlb.com.
He doesn't have a full season of closing experience, so I don't know if it's fair to compare him, but I'd take the following as being as good or better than Lidge based on current and past performance. Gagne Rivera Smoltz Hoffman Benitez Nathan The last two have had breakout seasons, the others are long-established. Elite company to be sure.
it sure has been nice to transition from one dominating closer in wagner basically straight into another one (with a little dotel hiccup in between) in lidge. it sure is nice having a lead wrapped up after 8.
I wonder where all the people are that were saying he could not hold up for the year, and it was too early to try him as a closer? Those that wanted to hang on to Dotel....ehem...Major...???? DD
i think since he has taken over the closing job including tonight he has around a 1.50 era, 19 of 21 saves, 5 wins (2 of which were the blown saves) and 2 losses (came in tied and blew the game), and 86 ks in 50 IP. i added some of that up so i may be off a bit, but that should be close.
i was a doubter of lidge, but i certainly wasn't a supporter of that crappy dotel. dotel choked too much. lidge has proven he is a clutch player.
Once I saw Dotel pitch in his first couple of games as a closer, I seriosly began doubting his ability. I was one of the people who said move Lidge over as the closer. I wasn't upset at all when Dotel was traded. Lidge has so much more in his pitchs, variety.
Lets wait till the playoffs for that argument... Wagner has already proved it over 4+ seasons... Lidge has just finished half a year. Of course, Billy couldn't do squat in the playoffs. Also, I like the fact that a.)Lidge can pitch more than one effective inning. AND b.) Lidge has 2 amazing pitches, one of them being nearly unhittable (Wagner had only the fastball... and if you somehow made contact... you could get lucky). Also, he's getting all sorts of pressure saves this year, and he only looks to be getting better.
Probably should have just put up this link Just to see who wanted Lidge and who thought Dotel should stay. Buck..Major, Robbie...??? DD
Before you guys all jump on the Lidge bandwagon you have to realize that Lidge is the best reliever on a horrible bullpen. I'm not saying I was opposed to the Dotel-Beltran deal, but that trade, by all means, did not answer any questions for us at that time, and just made a bad bullpen worse. Yes Dotel got us Beltran, but to suggest that we "unloaded him" or "he needed to go" is just foolish.
What did he get banned for? I never remember him posting anything but thoughtful, well drafted posts. I am really in shock.
19 saves in 21 opportunities with that low of an ERA makes him a lot more than just the best releiver on a bad bullpen. Those are some blow you away type stats.
sorry for the confusion, i realize what i said came off wrong. i didnt mean to make the arguement that 'he puts up good numbers on a bad team' similar to a SAR on the hawks. i meant that he is the lone highlight on a horrid bullpen.
