October 21, 2004
Playoffs Today
The Astros and Cardinals play Game 7, Number 2 tonight under the lights at Busch. Boston fans are excited because former Red Sox pitcher Jeff Suppan is going for the Cardinals tonight, and if he wins, he'll probably pitch game 7 of the World Series at Fenway. Yes, Red Sox nation can't forget his 7-3 record and 5.69 ERA in 1997, nor his 12 HR allowed in 63 innings pitched in his return engagement last year. I'm sure the Fenway Fanatics hope that their former star doesn't return.
Suppan, like all of the Cardinals starters, is an okay pitcher. He doesn't strikeout too many, but he doesn't walk too many. He's also pretty good at getting batters to hit into double plays. Jeff does give up the long ball. He had a great start against LA, and one bad inning against Houston. The ball will be over the plate for the Astros; it's up to them to pound it.
And there's another former Boston pitcher on the mound tonight. Roger Clemens would also be in line to pitch game 7 in Boston should the Astros win tonight. Boston fans will remember that Clemens has an interesting post-season history. He's been a fine post-season hurler; he's 10-6 with a 3.40 ERA. But he's seldom lights out when you need him to be. And that 10-6 record excludes 13 no-decisions. Given Garner's managing of the bullpen yesterday in which Qualls pitched 3 innings, Wheeler 2 and Lidge 3, Phil must think he's going to get close to a complete game out of Roger today. I'd be surprised at that.
Clemens is not an automatic win in the post-season. (Go ask Boston fans about 1986 and 1990.) But he should be able to beat someone of Suppan's caliber. We'll find out tonight.
The Rocket won't go nine, no. But, I'm thinking he pitches 7 strong, and leaves with a lead. If Wheeler and perhaps Gallo (why hasn't he been used?) can get through 1 inning, Lidge will close it down. Don't you know Clemens is thinking about facing the Sox in Minute Maid for game 3, and maybe game 7 in Fenway (hopefully they close it out in Houston though).
If this game is close, I'd be shocked to not see Oswalt at some point.
Oswalt is definitely the first reliever in the game. So it's not at all essential that Roger go seven. If he runs up the pitch count, he could be gone after five with Oswalt bridging to a one-inning stint from Lidge.
If the Astros are up, I don't see him bringing in Oswalt (the potential game 1 starter) at any point - Wheeler has earned Garner's confidence at this point, yes, he tossed 38 pitches, but that was on two days rest, so he's good for one inning at least. However, if the Cards blow up Clemens, yes, Oswalt will probably come in to hold it close.
Do you really have that much faith in Wheeler? He has been excellent in the postseason, but that's a seven inning sample. Over the whole season he was incredibly mediocre: 4.29 ERA. Unless you have a 5 run lead, do you really have the luxury of trusting Wheeler when you can use Oswalt? I do not think you can start thinking about the World Series unless you have a 6 run lead.
david is right. we hafta pound the ball big time. and NOT let pujols (i HATE him) beat us. roger won't go more than 7 fer sher. if he gets knocked out early, we can get 1 inning from roy cuz it's his bullpen day anyway. but relying on our pen is a serious gamble - wheeler has been so far so good, but these card hitters are pretty good and he ain't zackly lidge. so if we aren't ahead by like 20 runs, i'm STILL gonna worry. and i never EVER want to EVER see dam miceli again.
i'm so nervous i can hardly type.
GO STROS!!!