April 10, 2007
Better than Lidge?
The decision to make Dan Wheeler the Astros closer almost hit a speed bump today. Entering the game with a four-run lead, Wheeler gave up four hits and two runs, but managed to hang on to preserve the win for Sampson. In a more typically close Astros game, however, that performance would lead to a blown save. It seems to be the ninth inning today would actually be a good place for Lidge to work. The lead was big enough that if Brad worked into trouble, Wheeler could come in to limit the damage. Now, of course, there are as many questions about Dan as there were about Brad.
Posted by David Pinto at
05:17 PM
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Wheeler kinda sucked today, but he's been better than Lidge for a long time.
sad smile
the fans woulda KILLT lidge for giving up 2 runs even if we won. wheeler will get a pass.
what is interesting is that lidge would have come in if wheeler had not got murton out
Wheeler does one important thing a lot better than Lidge: keeping the ball on the ground. Lidge has developed a severe case of big-fly-itis, especially nove the past couple seasons. Wheeler has much better ground-ball/fly-ball ratios over that time.
Once in a while grounders will sneak through, as they did for Floyd and DeRosa yesterday. But Garner will tolerate thirteen-hoppers a lot better than shots into the bleachers.