trading lidge for veteran relievers is worthless. wheeler will still be getting his innings, and qualls his. nieve is a candidate for closer. it's not like we could trade lidge for a better closer. we need a big bat or prospects.
F'n pathetic ... Some of the mistakes the Astros make are just mind boggling. I'm not ready to say season over because we are still close enough to make a run (which is sad to say for the National League), but if you are handicapping who will make the playoffs, I think you have to put us near the bottom of all the teams in contention and there are plenty of teams in contention. I'm done with Lidge and I don't know why he is used in big situations anymore. Nieve needs to take a more prominent role in the bullpen. If we cut Lidge tomorrow, I'd have no regrets.
I don't blame Lidge for this one, I blame Wilson and Lane for striking out with the bases loaded. That is inexcusable. Just make contact and the game is over.
astros remind me of the bad news bears. especially when lane tripped trying to tag for third...classic
Getting thrown out at 1st like Munson did, Pujols "Triple", and Oswalt missing 1st base were bad news bears moments for the Astros as well.
It was a team effort today. People who deserve the most blame are Lidge and Wheeler. At least Astros wouldn't be in the extra innings without Wilson and Lane. Lidge=Mark Wohlers.
Regarding Oswalts blunder. That missed base was very debatable. The 1st base ump wasn't in a position to see the play clearly and as such didn't have enough evidence to overturn the call. I actually think Oswalt brushed the side of the base. The Bad News Bears moment goes to Cruz for pointing the damn error out. I would like to see Qualls try and close. I don't think he's really been put in that situation yet. Yeah he sucks coming into games with runners on; but with the bases empty he seems to be pretty effective. Either that or go with a closer by committee; maybe the competition will do these guys good down there. Nieve should definitely get a more prominent role now; he's being wasted.
Lidge was struggling before the Pujols homer. People like to point to that is the problem but it had already started before then
**** Brad Lidge, and hell it should of not even come down to that. This team is playing a horrible brand of baseball right now. Playoffs, good luck.
If Tim "I suck as a GM" Purpura refuses to make a trade, the least he can do is bring up Luke Scoot. He has a OPS over .940. You could put him in left and Wilson in center. I like Burke but we need a power bat who can drive in runs. Wilson has played center his whole career and prefers playing center. Why do the Astros still carry 12 pitchers? Makes no sense with Clemens back. Borkowski has pitched 1/3 of an inning since June 26. Makes no sense to carry two long relievers when you could add a power bat of to the bench in Scott who hasn't nothing more to prove in AAA. People are going sat Scott only hit .188 last year but when he was recalled in August, he was a much better hitter and had some big pinch hits in September. He also almost hit the game winning HR versus the Braves before Burke did. Remember had no experience past AA when he started last season. Some people need AAA and some don't. Damn I hate Tim Purpura. Best lineup Astros could put out IMO with Ausmus and Everett. 2B-Craig Biggio 1B-Mike Lamb 3B-Morgan Ensberg RF-Lance Berkman CF-Preston Wilson LF-Luke Scott SS-Adam Everett C-Brad Ausmus
Another reason I hate Tim Purpura is the way he handles the minor league system. He needs to promote players more quickly. If players are having good seasons, they should be rewarded. I heard on him on the radio a couple of weeks ago and someone asked why don't the Astros promote Pence to AAA. Timmy said he likes the players on a team to learn to play and win together. Thats garbage IMO. Pence should be in AAA by now or hell even in the big leagues, he couldn't be any worse than Taveras or Lane. Zobrist should also be in AAA. He has a .329 avg with a OBP of .437. What else doesn he have to prove? Paul Estrada also needs to be promoted to AAA. He has a ERA of 3.43, struckout 99 batters in 60.1 IP , and only allowed 23 BB. There are more players who aren't being rewarded for excellent seasons but too lazy to write about them. Its not like Round Rock is loaded with prospects or the players are young. Zobrist is 25 and Estrada is 23. If they were in any other the organization, they would be in at least AAA or maybe in the bigs. Screw you Timmy Purpura.
brad lidge and jason lane have absolutely no place on a major league baseball roster. they are boys amongst men. and to hell with garner for continuing to throw them out there day-in and day-out, especially lidge.
Billy Wagner - 18 saves - 22 save opportunities - 4 blown saves Brad Lidge - 21 saves - 25 save opportunities - 4 blown saves Closers traditionally don't perform as well when they are brought into non-save opportunities. Alot of Lidge's problem this year have not been save situations. If we had some bullpen depth and didn't have to waste Lidge in non-save situations he'd be fine.
They you go expecting Tim to spend less time at the buffet counter. How can he be bothered with improving the team when there is so much food and so little time.
