Bingo. It's funny how no one here complained about the Bork move until *after* it backfired, but afterwards, it's obvious that Garner was an idiot.
Take Rodriguez out? Fine. That's not the problem at all (other bandwagon fans might have that issue). The facts are you just don't leave a reliever in there 3 batters too long who has ZERO command of the strike zone. ABSOLUTELY ZERO.
I didn't want to get into this, but it's all about the situation. Obviously you would generally prefer to have Qualls in a game over Bork. However, if Qualls has already given up three runs, three hits, thrown a wild pitch, and walked a guy he needs to be lifted. His confidence was shot, hence why he proceeded to give up the lead. I'm not sure who's available tonight, but again once you see that your reliever has no confidence it makes no sense to keep them in.
We also need bullpen pitchers who would never walk 3 guys in a row in a close game. Get rid of Borkowski, bring up Estrada... especially with Lidge out. Borkowski had ONE good game last week against a team that had no clue what kind of stuff he had (that caused everybody to jump on the bandwagon... that had people clamoring for Borkowski over Qualls just TWO DAYS ago).
can't make bad pitchers good pitchers by changing managers. you can however limit the damage and hope to prevent it.
So, Garner has to deal with pitchers that apparently have zero confidence two out of every three nights? As far as your pitchers' intestinal fortitude... that blows. These guys are professionals... they need to start acting like it, or bring up other guys who can. Its total BS that none of these guys have the ability to strand inherited runners... if you're in an MLB bullpen, that's part of your job description.
uhh give me borkowski over Moehler/Miller/White any day. borkowski is a long reliever so just fire Moehler and call up Estrada.
The funny thing is that Qualls was the expert at that. Before his disaster a few days ago, they said he had only allowed something like 2 of 18 inherited runners to score this season.
I agree... Borkowski should have probably been taken out... but I have a problem with him WALKING THREE STRAIGHT BATTERS TO GIVE UP THE LEAD, and nobody seems to find fault with that. Borkowski has ZERO talent... Mohler has ZERO talent... White is one more extended stretch away from the DL.... Stephen Randolph just arrived this afternoon.. Qualls-Wheeler are enigmas this year. That is your bullpen... its funny how solid Lidge seems now, whereas just one month ago, you couldn't find one fan in here who wanted him still on this roster. You would have traded him for peanuts.
It's the Astros we're talking about here man. I can't even begin to count the number of times they've blown these types of games. This really reminds me of the Chi Sox series from last summer with those three grand slams. Anyway, as you said, Qualls is inconsistent and he has definately proven to lose his nerves in close games before. Bork came into a tight spot and obviously didn't have it either. Sure, relievers shouldn't buckle under pressure, but all of them do at some point. IMO, it's up to the manager to realize when they don't have it and make the necessary adjustments. And now I'm off to bed, good night.
I definitely find fault with three straight walks. There's no excuse for any of our so-called major league relievers. You've got a job to do and they need to start doing it. I've beaten the Garner horse enough tonight. That's all I've got, lol.
So basically, if a pitcher doesn't do his job, its the managers fault... according to you... because he should have recognized that he wouldn't be able to do it.
well it's up to biggio. Do something special...or just k and let me sleep. I have work in 5 hrs! ARGH!!!
