A voice of reason. To just go and blame Lidge for the loss and say he sucks is turning a blind eye to the other factors that cost the team the game.
Point being..... CLOSERS ARE PAID TO CLOSE GAMES ...NOT GIVE UP HITS, RUNS AND WALKS DAY IN AND DAY OUT!
Berkman's error, and Ensberg's error lost the game for us. Using Gallo in a tight game, actually any game is inane. The guy flat out sucks. If he has to use a lefty, go out and get a decent one. Lidge's pitch selection is insane. Two sliders in the dirt to open it up again Hawpe, HMM WHAT'S COMING NEXT, DURRR A FASTBALL MAYBE? This team needs Clemens and Backe to return, and fast. How much better would this bullpen look if Garner could go to Wandy instead of Gallo, and use Nieve instead of Qualls/Wheeler as setup men and not throw the same 3 guys out in every close game.
I'm trying to understand the thought process Phil Garner had tonight. Someone, anyone, please help me out. Brad Lidge has a lot of issues, and if we switch to someone else as closer, I'd support that move. I'm certainly not one of the Lidge apologists, as some are referred to. But, for all his current faults, he's still and will always be a high strikeout pitcher. With the winning run on third with one out... that's a situation that screams "we need a strikeout." Now, I know, I know. Wheeler's a groundball pitcher, and they could set up the double play. I might could accept that logic... if the Astros defense went double play depth. It didn't. It stayed shallow. Yes, Wheeler is likely a better pitcher than Lidge right now. But in that specific situation, the number one priority needs to be who gives us the best chance to get an out without the hitter making contact. Without a doubt, that's Lidge. Unless Lidge asked to be pulled, I can't begin to understand that. Second, I don't understand the IBB to load the bases and set up the force. Yes, Wheeler usually has good control so him losing the game on a walk was just bad luck. But the Rockies' top two hitters... Sullivan and Carroll... they're garbage. Complete garbage. But by walking the leadoff man, you essentially guaranteed (if they had hypothetically gotten Carroll out) Helton an at-bat with the bases loaded. In Coors Field. One of the best hitters in baseball. That's a recipe for disaster if I've ever seen one. I know it would've been with 2 outs, but... I just don't understand how, when thinking rationally, that that is the best option for the situation.
I know Wheeler walked in the run...but Lidge and Ensberg have to take the blame for this one. It would be okay for Lidge if it were a one time thing, but we all know it's not. You can't consistenly give up leadoff hits/walks as a closer. The bullpen is definitely a red flag at this point...we used to be able to get away with a shaky Qualls and Wheeler when Lidge was dominating, but now that's not the case. Perhaps if Roger comes back we can shop Nieve for a strong reliever? I know you don't normally trade good SP prospects for relievers but we've got to take advantage of this window of opportunity. Man what I would to see that Lidge/Dotel/Wagner trio again (of course pitching like they did that year). Going back to Wheeler and the walk...please, anything but a ball on that pitch. Throw one down the heart of the plate (easier said than done, I know), but at least make them earn it.
Lidge has not been the same since Pujos got the winning home run against him. He might never get back to that old confident and dominant himself again.
I remember a poster writing after that game that Lidge was finished as a closer. He may have been correct. He has never looked the same, looks shakey every time out. I think it is time for a change. Unfortunately, that would further erode his confidence.
I think you guys need to go back and look at some of Lidges performances in the 2005 playoffs prior to the Pujols home run. He was allowing base runners and walks too. He was just getting out of it when he needed to. He definitely wasnt dominant like in the 2004 playoffs. So I really dont think the Pujols home run was such a turning point that so many people think it was. Hes just going through some negative variance. He ll work it out and be back to normal.
i agree man. ive never seen a hr like the one pujols hit. i dont think anyone has. not even lidge. that did him in
Sorry ladies, this wasn't Lidge's fault. It's Garner's fault. You don't run your closer out four days in a row. I don't care who he is. He's had way too much work this week. Wheeler should of came out in the 9th with Lidge as the emercency closer. I blame this loss soley on Garner.
Exactly. If that Pujols homer had a serious effect on his psyche, he wouldn't have 11 saves, no matter how shaky they were. He wouldn't look close to his old self at times, and then rocky at others. If his confidence was shot he would have blown most of those saves. Simple fact is he's not locating his pitches for strikes the way he needs to and is relying too much on his slider. Remember the 4 saves leading up to last night were looking increasingly better. And if I recall, our whole damn bullpen isn't looking too hot right now. What this team really needs is for Backe to come back and hopefully to sign Clemens, allowing Nieve and Buccholz or Wandy to move to the bullpen (or even Backe to the pen while he gets his strength back). Then we don't have to tax Qualls, Wheeler and Lidge so damn much. Garner needlessly used all three last night and now chances are they won't be going tonight (if we need them) when they could be more readily available and sharper had they had a day off yesterday. I still don't understand why he continues to use Gallo; he is no lefty specialist (never really was) and continues to cough up runs. Why didn't he go to Borkowski, who has pitched better than anybody in the bullpen in his short time here. And if Backe and/or Clemens doesn't return, then we need to shop around for some help. And Lidge, I don't care that he puts baserunners on, I don't care that he gives up a run in a 2-run game. All I care about is the end result. If he continues to get saves (while not blowing too many more) I'll be happy. Hell look at Wagner, he has a sterling 2.12 ERA but he's blown 3 saves already too.
If Burhholz and Wandy keep pitching like they are Backe should never replace them in the starting lineup. Ideally, Clemens will come back and we can move Nieve to the bullpen. All I care about is the end result right now for Lidge too, and blowing 3 games in 14 opportunities with a 6+ ERA is not getting it done. Lidge blew 4 games during the 2005 season and 4 games during the 2004 season. He is on pace to blow 16 games this year. The Astros have to think about moving him to a setup role until he's back to his former self completely.
