Garner said closer by committee and when interviewed Lidge said the same thing. Well it's about time Phil.
About time. People are talking about Qualls ....I think it might be Nieve but im not sure if he is even available tomm.
I know nobody's gonna agree with me, but I don't care. This is just not right. Lidge had saved 4 opportunities in a row and was looking like he was getting back on track. He has a bad game and now he's made the scapegoat. I don't see Turnbow, Isringhausen, or Wagner being removed from the closer's role, despite blowing the same number or more save opportunities than Lidge. Clemens pitches like crap, and the offense chokes in several key situations, and Garner singles out Lidge. Brilliant.
For the record, Wagner has a 2.44 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Isringhausen has a 3.08 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Clemens has been awesome this season, 2.71 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP, with 15 walks in 66 innings. Lidge's WHIP is currently 1.49, with a 5.70 ERA. There's no comparison between those guys - Clemens has been awesome all season, and Wagner and Izzy have had much better seasons as closers compared to Lidge. If you watch the games, you see he just doesn't have the consistant control of his pitches he needs to be successful. Some games he looks good, but overall he's had a terrible season.
Probably not going to happen this season given how late it already is and how much preparation it takes to switch roles, but assuming Clemens comes back again next year, wouldn't it be awesome thinking about Clemens in a closers role? I'm sure that would give his career more longevity, and it would definitely be a new challenge akin to the way Smoltz did it with the Braves. It would definitely be a temp solution, but just thinking about it is so nice.
As evidenced by his stellar 5.70 era. The league is littered with pitchers with great stuff who lost it...Rick Ankiel anyone? Lidge is TOAST !! And it is all in his head...... DD
Might be too little too late ... Of course if our offense can't score in 12 straight innings against the Cubs "bullpen" it might not matter who the closer is.
Lidge sucks period. Nobody can even make an argument in his case otherwise, and if you do then you suck too!! Im just kidding. But really he sucks. He needs a baseball psychotherapist. We should have traded his sorry ass during the deadline. Why the hell is Lane getting AB's, and why the hell did we get rid of Preston Wilson?
Back on track? He gets saves when we have 2 or 3 run leads. Even then, he still gives up a run, or at least a walk and a hit to make it close. With a one run lead, he's garbage. Yeah, he had 5 blown saves, but think of the times that Garner has pulled him with runners on base...only to be bailed out by another pitcher. The guy has no confidence, and you can see it when he's on the moung...and I'm sure opposing hitters can as well. When you only have two pitches...anyone can sit on a fastball and hit it. I have a wonderful idea for him in the offseason...LEARN TO THROW A THIRD PITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
