I think they would have been done for if he had pitched. He wouldn't have had enough rest for a 42 year old pitcher. Also, he wouldn't have been as fresh for the playoffs. Him getting sick might have been one of the best things to happen to the Astros this season.
I personally am glad that Rocket got sick because I am going to game one to see Clemens pitch for the very first time. But I got bad news for everyone, I go to an astros game at turner field every year and we I have never seen them win before. Only playoff game I went to I saw Kevin Millwood throw a one-hitter(homerun by caminniti). I really hope we finally win a series because cubs fans and red sox fans at least have won playoff series just last year and the astros have never won a series in their history. Clemens for Cy Young. Astros beat the Sox for the World Championship.
Kent, Oswalt, Beltran, Lidge and, most importantly, The Rocket had nothing to do with any of our past playoff failures. That, in my opinion, is what makes this year different. Regardless of what Bagwell and Biggio do or do not do from here on out, it is not nearly the problem now as it was then because our team is no longer built completely upon these two. Each of the aforementioned 5, along with Berkman, is more important to this team now. And there is nothing wrong with that. After a decade of loyal dedication to this city, often carrying a rather mediocre team to heights it had no business achieving, these two have earned the help. I can think of nothing better than to see Bagwell and Biggio finally get what they earned a long time ago. Kent has been to the Series. The Rocket has been several times. Beltran, Oswalt and Lidge are blissfully naive to our past struggles... That is why this year is different.
Spectacular post, Milos, great points and I fully agree. I think those two will actually get some clutch hits in this seasons playoffs. Some of our recent acquisitions i.e. Kent, Beltran, Clemens, etc. will be huge at some points.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2830927 According to this article, the roster will look something like this: SP - Clemens SP - Oswalt SP - Backe SP - Munro RP - Lidge RP - Miceli RP - Gallo RP - Qualls RP - Harville RP - Springer RP - Wheeler C - Ausmus C - Chavez 1B - Bagwell 2B - Kent SS - Vizcaino 3B - Ensberg IF - Lamb IF - Bruntlett LF - Biggio CF - Beltran RF - Berkman OF - Palmeiro OF - Lane OF - Tavares Article confirms that Hernandez, Oliver and Everett are all out.
Maybe I'm in the minority on this, but I think I'd rather see Redding or Duckworth pitch an inning of middle relief than Gallo, or Springer and maybe Wheeler. I just don't get the Gallo as our lefty specialist thing. He doesn't seem to pitch very well against lefties anyway.
For the role that they will be needed in, Id rather have Munro. Munro is very diverse: can start or work long relief Carlos is pretty much a starter and has been exclusively since coming back from the injury. Not sure you would want to throw him into a bullpen role, especially since it has been noted that it takes him half a game to get his velocity up.
I agree that Gallo has been less than impressive at times, but I think he is our best option out of the 3. Anytime Redding or Duckworth get in the game I know that we are going to give up some runs. It is very rare that they are able to get through an appearance without giving up big innings. As for Springer and Wheeler, those guys have been pretty solid for us. No way I would take Redding or Duckworth over either of them.
I just looked at the game logs and your right, they both have pitched very effectively. I think I was just remembering Springer had two bad game in mid-september (one cost us a game against the Cards). The last we saw Wheeler (against Col) he let up 2 runs, but they were pretty meaningless at the time. Overall, they have been very consistent.
luckily the Braves fans suck....I just picked up outfield seats at Ticketmaster for Game 2. Living in TN has it's perks sometimes. Although I'd rather be home watching us at MMP.
Roger Clemens stats don't look too good when he pitches as the starter in the playoffs. Let's hope that changes. 6 starts 0-5 5.00 era
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/3340/career_by_all_pitching_splits.html Says here he's 42-30 with a 3.38 ERA in the postweason for his career.
