you sure? His sliders don't seem to have the same "show and then break out" type stuff.. fastballs aren't always full of life anymore. Maybe he's feeling the overworkedness?
The book on Lidge is pretty simple... scouting reports have run rampant now, and the more teams see footage of him, the better the approaches. He either has to develop another pitch, or trust more in his slider... and the fact that if he's throwing it right, it can't be hit... even if he throws it in the zone consistently.
Yea but at the same time, this seems awfully similar to Scott Williamson, who now plays for the Cubs. One year he has an ERA under 2 and is just smoking everyone and the next year everyone figured out that Williamson couldn't throw a strike and that if you had some plate discipline you'll beat him. Lidge isn't nearly as extreme a case and can throw strikes but history just seems to be playing itself out again. Lidge will always be a good closer but I'm not sure he'll ever be the same dominant guy he was a couple of years ago.
The sliders still have that stuff... they just lay off them now. He developed a habit of throwing it less in the zone because hitters would offer at it consistently... now that they're not, he should go back to the approach of challenging hitters in the zone with it, and seeing if they can put it in play. There could be an element of fatigue... but I doubt it... and he unleashed a couple of money fastballs tonight right on the corner, 99mph (and on another night, those could be called).
He threw first pitch sliders to the last 2 batters, strike on both of them. Sounds from the radio and on here like he was getting squeezed, few pitches over the plate that were called balls (even by looking at GameDay on mlb.com. Only reason I'm not totally sure was because I could not watch the game myself, but from all other accounts, he had some pitches that should have been strike 3 on all three batters.
Actually, if u go back and watch the game, you might cringe when you watch those two first-pitch sliders (as I posted earlier). They were seriously begging to be hit... the first one was a 82 (EIGHTY TWO!) mph "slider" that had no bend in it... I seriously think he was just trying to get it over, but then you realize that its MIGUEL CABRERRA (albert pujols jr.) in there, and you realize the reason for my exasperation. The second one was a little faster... but still in the same poor location. He had a few sliders during the first two batters of the inning that were PERFECT, and they were thrown in the K zone. 88 mph, and that sharp break low and away. He needs to trust that pitch more (he rarely throws it on 2 strike counts) because it can be effective.
im guessing you guys who are saying lidge has been "figured out" are the same guys who say the rockets should trade tmac...sure, lidge had a couple bad games in the postseason last year, but its damn EARLY in the season right now to be making doomsday posts like these he obviously doesnt have his rhythm and his location is a bit off, but for the past TWO years guys have been trying to figure him out and havent been able to...mariano rivera has been throwin one pitch his whole career, and hes known as the best closer in the business...lets give lidge a little more time before we declare that he needs a new pitch, or that hes been figured out
For the record, I really don't believe Lidge has totally been "figured out"... but every now and then, a closer has to tinker with stuff to stay on top. Ask the "great" Mariano about his multiple approaches over the years... teams had been getting to him consistently (aka, the Red Sox), and he definitely refined some of those mechanics on his cutter... and he had a tremendous year last year. No closer is ever invincible... and Lidge may never be as "lights out" as he was two years ago.... but that doesn't mean he still won't be a top 5 closer, and still possess the most dominant slider in baseball.
Lidge is fine, and as much as the Astros have used him, people around the league are going to change their approach. IMO, the key is to develop another pitch. Easier said than done.
Lidge has been working on a splitter I think, but isn't going to bring it out until it's "major league ready"
Anyone want to bring back Wagner or Dotel? If Lidge is at least working on another pitch he is already better then the other two mentioned.
guaranteed, I loved Wagner when he was here and was completely miffed when he was traded, but I must say that I definatley have more confidence in Lidge.
I dont know I have a different side to that. I dont trust Lidge, as much as I use to. I always have a feeling he is gonna blow it or give up a big homerun.
I've got 1 extra ticket to friday's game. 12 bucks, 422, row 1, seat 4 Bonus: you get to hang out with myself, The Cat, and kam4. Bonus 2: I'll be printing out BACKKKKKKE K cards Bonus 3: 3rd victory of the season. Any takers? email me migbackup@gmail.com
