I hope I'm not the only one that laughed his ass off at this. I'm still laughing, as a matter of fact.
I was the first one to suggest the "to be fair" strategy on why Garner was using Gallo... I had no problem with keeping Lidge for a more important part of the game. I just HATE the fact that Gallo is the worst pitcher on this team... I feel like we can get somebody better to be the worst pitcher on this team. Also, Garner does likely have some say on the players he has. I agree that its an upper-level management issue, and its not the Astros "policy" to simply cut players after a couple of bad performances... but this is now 3 years of borderline scrubby performances from Gallo... he shouldn't have a job anymore, if it was based simply on performance.
Which is worse? Losing this inning? Or scoring and then losing the next inning when Gallo has to face Pujols, Rolen and company? If Gallo couldn't get these guys out, he wasn't going to get those guys out, and he WAS going to pitch this inning or the next. So you can either try to maximize your likelihood of getting outs, or you can't waste Lidge on scrubs and get drilled in the next inning. I prefer the former.
Some comments on the Everett vs. Bruntlett argument... 1) Everett is far and away the best defensive shortstop in the majors. To the person citing fielding percentage to make an argument, you don't deserve to watch baseball, end yourself. 2) Batting average is nearly useless as a measure of offensive production. Like MadMax and Major have been saying ad nauseum, the offensive difference between Everett and Bruntlett cannot be substantiated by statistics because there isn't enough of a sample size to measure Bruntlett's production. And the fact that is batting average is .50 better (or whatever) is meaningless. A few bloops over the span of a couple of weeks? 3) To the poster who's argument consisted of "I watch about half of the games, and from that I can determine that Everett saves about two hits per 5 games." Really scientific buddy. Don't quit your day job. 4) Absolutely, an outstanding fielding shortstop with minimal offensive production is much better than a terrible or even mediocre fielding shortstop with solid offensive production. Shortstop is the most important position in terms of defense, BY FAR. As in, it's not really even close. 5) It is completely different to have mediocre production offensively from the corner outfield positions than the shortstop position because of scarcity and defensive importance.
Losing sooner, rather than later, is always worse... simply because the bats would have had another chance. Also, you're pretty much guaranteeing that Gallo is going to blow the game no matter what... which is the biggest argument right now... he shouldn't be on the roster ANYMORE.
Well we can argue this point all day, because we won't know either way now. Hell Lidge could have pitched the next inning and serve up another bomb to Pujols. I think the biggest thing to take from this loss and this situation is how pathetic the worst player on our team is that he HAS to be brought in to face the 7-8-9 guys to HOPEFULLY continue the game cause no way in hell he'd retire the top/middle of the order in the next frame.
Umm, Lidge could definitely have pitched two innings. He hasn't worked much this road trip. He threw only a handfull of pitches yesterday and there is a day off tomorrow. He should have been brought in over Gallo.
i'm sick of arguing this, but just answer these 2 questions: who would you rather have: everett or vizquel? everett or michael young ("the worst" defensive SS in league)?
I am not understanding how some of you are defending putting in Gallo in that game. You people are supposed to know baseball but you would risk the game by putting freaking Mike Gallo in this game with the Cards with better options available?
Eric Bruntlett is a good shortstop. He looks like a natural out there. He also could hit so I give him the edge over Everett.
Doesn't matter. Neither are on the roster. It's everett or bruntlett...or everett or burke. And right now I choose everett. But bruntlett should be given some time somewhere on the field.
Exactly. In no way is Bruntlett a mediocre or terrible defensive shortstop. I love Everett but if he can't keep his batting average above .200 then to the bench he goes. He can still be brought in as a defensive replacement late in the game. Bruntlett to 2nd and Everett to SS.
Dang...anybody hear Garner's postgame comments. It was an "easy" decision to bring Gallo in. He had to come in and get some outs. Lidge wasn't even in the equation at that point. Sounds like he'll keep going to him too. Jeez.
I am sick of Willy Taveras's play. He can't get on base and isn't great on defense. He needs to be benched or given more days off. He has a on base % of .320 which is sucks for a lead off hitter. Purpura try to trade for someone who idiot. You have done nothing in your 2 years here.
Hell...you might as well bring back John Franco. Gallo isn't much better than John was last season before we gave up on him and released him. I would rather designate Gallo to triple AAA and bring in a fresh arm to give them a try. Gallo is not correcting anything. It's the same story every time he pitches. He just gives it up. Gallo is good to bring in when there is no pressure and the team is losing by multiple runs.
I know the east coast media is unbearable for most sports fans to deal with... but they would have put a ton of pressure on management to get rid of guys like Gallo, and not hand jobs to non-proven players like Willy Taveras without some accountability. Even in the benign media market like Houston (which was still ballsy... er stupid... enough to put a tombstone on the front page of a sports section in May), they really should question why Gallo is on this team. Once again... the move today was more out of necessity than strategy... somebody other than Lidge was going to pitch. That's fine. The fact that Gallo has to be on this roster is NOT fine.
