The crowd should stay on its feet right now... Clemens needs a little adrenaline push! EDIT: huge inning right there... we're getting close to Lights Out time.
I don't think so... unless we have a big rally and his spot in the order comes up. I think they'll have Lidge warming up, but Clemens should be good to handle Sanders, Matheny, and a pinch-hitter... he's right over 100 pitches now, and his ball has a lot of nasty movement on it still.
I imagine if they get to his spot in the order this inning with something cooking they may take him out. It's a Catch-22, cause that's a chance to score, but we really need him to pitch 1 more scoreless inning so Lidge can go just 2 and still be able to pitch tomorrow if necessary.
Here's the question. Through 6 innings, Clemens has thrown 102 pitches. Knowing that if we have a chance at winning this series, Clemens will definitely be pitching in game 6, how much longer do you want him throwing? If we can push another run across, I'd actually take Clemens out, put in Wheeler/Miceli for the 7th, Lidge for the 8th, 9th. It's the Cardinals' 7-8-9 hitters coming up.
If the Astros win all 3 at home, I see no reason to pitch Clemens game 6. Astros would be up 3-2, and a healthy Clemens in game 7 would be better then an overpitched one for game 6. But, of course, they'd have to win the next 3.
Agreed... you'd see Clemens and Oswalt (on 3 days rest) in game 7. That would be lethal... of course, there's a LONG way to get there...
This is some serious oldschool playoff baseball. What a pitching duel. We need one more scoreless inning out of the Rocket then we hand over to Lidge. Lets go Astros!!!!!! I believe!!!!!! p.s. anybody else stomach in knots.
Lidge should be up and throwing now, and ready to come in at the first hint of danger (and don't worry about pinch-hitting or double-swithing... he will have to bat as well)... there's no tommorow. I really expected a blow-out today (and it probably should have been)... but it looks like we'll have to win it the hard way.