Cards and Reds tied at 17-8 in NLC, tee it up at 1810 hrs in Cincy to see who stands on top of the mountain for the moment. In other news, Yanks take over 1st place. But you knew that already didn't ya George....
As much as I would like the Reds to be the real deal, it ain't so. It's long-haul pitching, both quality and depth. When you look at the pitching rosters of the NLC teams, it comes down to the Cards and Astros, IMO. The Cubs are the Cubs. The only difference from past years is that their ace is Greg Maddux with nothing behind him. Zambrano is struggling, and Wood and Prior are history. The Reds are looking good early, but they don't have the depth for the long run, IMO. Even if the Stros don't sign Clements, I believe that they will be the team to beat in a neck and neck race with the Cards.
4 out of 5 vs the Astros and Cardinals....I'd say there is reason for optomism in Cincy....it's early. But if their pitching holds up they will be tough.
Well.... <t>I have 4 box seats for tonight's game to see my Cards minus Rolan and maybe Pujols, bummer. <br/> <br/> Should be fun.</t>
Larry, Rolen is still fighting Bronchitis.....Puljos feels better with his lower back and should be in the lineup.....Edmonds was out yesterday due to a Lefty on the mound. GO CARDS!!!!!
Sir Albert gets another one, but the 'Stros hang on to win. A couple of thoughts. How about Craig Biggio at 40 scoring from 1st base on the hit down the line by Willie Taveras. Willie is the fastest player in baseball currently and knowing that Willie would run him over and spike him probably gave Biggio the extra boost rounding 3rd. Also Brad Lidge, even though he got the save and now leads the NL in saves at 10, isn't the same pitcher that he has been the last couple of years. I don't know if the hitters have now seen him enough that they are more knowledgeable about his style, or if he's mentally off due to the some of the big hits like that one to Puhjols in the playoffs or the White Sox roughing him up. Closers probably have to have a different mental make up and if they lose the edge they become ordinary. That grand slam he gave up to Jeff Kent was another of example of him sort of losing his edge. From early in the 2004 season when he took the job from Dotel till Sir Albert took him deep he was almost unhittable and I think he intimidated the hitters. I think he's lost that, I don't think they fear his slider anymore. He's hittable. I wonder if a closer can ever get that edge back again. Terry
:!: What the Dodgers were doing was laying off his slider entirely and sitting on his fastball when he fell behind. His only way out of that is to throw the slider for strikes...
I know Gagne was a 4 pitch guy when he was on his roll. But aren't most closers 1 or 2 pitches? Billy Wagner was pretty much a 95-99mph fastball and that kid the White Sox have who was so devestatingly effective was pretty much a fastball pitcher. They were talking last night on the postgame that Lidge could use a change up but that you can't just add that in to your repertoire during the season. He's still pretty good, just not spectacular like he was.
Another close game tonight, and another Lidge save. But he gave up a hit, and a walk and I was on my edge hoping he could get'er done. Last year I would have had no doubt. But a sweep of the Cards is always good even if it is only 2 games. This is the best Astro's start ever, through 28 games that is.... I hope Roger is taking notice. Terry
re: closers Yes. Nearly all closers are two pitch pitchers: a serious fastball and something else. The trick is, you must throw them BOTH for strikes. Lidge was getting away with throwing the fastball for strikes, while getting the hitters to fish for sliders down and away...out of the strike zone. Now the batters are just laying off that cheese until he proves that he can spot it consistently. :idea:
Lidge blew it last night, came in and immediately got behind 2-0 and had to throw something good to a 370 hitter, result was a double, then a bad throw on a sac bunt and then another sac bunt and a walk and he was outta there. I can't remember Lidge being yanked. Garner says he's still the closer, but if they are talking about it then they must be thinking that his rope is getting short. What do you demote a closer too anyhow? Terry