Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted October 18, 2005 One thing that would of been nice was to hear the late Jack Buck call that Home Run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted October 18, 2005 My thoughts from tonight's game: - I am getting tired of Fox talking about the dimensions of Minute Maid park. Sure I wasn't happy seeing Berkman's 3 run HR, but its not like the walls get moved back for the Cards when they bat. - While I do think the Cards can come back and win the series, I think they'll be nail biters. Opposing pitchers usually feed off of each other in the playoffs. If one has his stuff and is moving at a good pace, I think the other will follow suit. - As a Cards fan, Berkman is slowly turning into a 2004 version of Carlos Beltran to me, he makes me nervous everytime he steps up to the plate. - Jim Edmonds is hitting the ball better the last two games than he did the first three, he will be a key in Game 6. When he bats in front of Pujols it seems like he focuses more on making contact instead of swinging for the fences. - Thank you Albert Pujols. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted October 18, 2005 One thing that would of been nice was to hear the late Jack Buck call that Home Run. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Indeed. Mike Shannon's call was one of the most underwhelming calls of a historical moment I have ever heard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted October 18, 2005 They should've walked Pujols and gone after Sanders who has a horrible track record against Lidge. They didn't because it would have put the tying run on second base. Ausmus said doing so would be "asinine." This city is gripping this morning. Everyone is in shock (for good reason) and some are even fleeing the bandwagon saying the Astros are going to "Oiler" this series. It's pretty funny. I still think the Astros are going to do it though. I'm pretty sure not even they can blow this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted October 18, 2005 I have a bad feeling that if this series goes seven that Clemens is going to have a bad outing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BruiserKC 0 Report post Posted October 18, 2005 I don't see Houston bouncing back. It would take a big comeback to win this series. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> They are still leading the series but mentally they are dead now. History proven over time and time again that in similar situations, you don't brush it off and win the next game. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Like when the Diamondbacks lost the series after blowing two ninth inning leads to the Yankees in back to back games? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Different circumstances...the D-backs were heading back to the friendly confines of the BOB. Now if they had the D-backs blowing two games like that at home and then gone to Yankee Stadium it would have felt the way the Stros do now. As a Cardinals fan, I'm freaking pumped. We can beat Oswalt and Clemens...especially if we can get it to game 7 as Clemens has never had the rep of a postseason killer. I never heard a place go that dead that fast when Pujols' shot left the yard and might have landed in El Paso were it not for the wall behind the stadium. That also goes to hearing the ESPN folks shut the hell up about how it was all over. Cardinal Nation lives, bitches! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 Scenario. Houston is up by a run in the 9th. Heart of the order of the Cardinals. Any chance we say someone other than Lidge try and finish the game? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 Absolutely not. Dennis Eckersley said it best. As a closer, you have to have the ability to forget. Lidge can't think that everytime out there, the Cardinals are going to do what they did last night. Plus, who else is there? Wheeler? Gallo? Qualls? Sorry, but last night was not something that is going to happen every night for Lidge. And if he's worth a damn, he'll get the job done to prove a point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 What if the game goes 13-14 innings? Lidge is out. Could we see Roger Clemens try and finish it off? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest *KNK* Report post Posted October 19, 2005 What if the game goes 13-14 innings? Lidge is out. Could we see Roger Clemens try and finish it off? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> They'd go through their bullpen first before resorting to Clemens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 Lidge threw the 11th and 12th in the marathon game against the Braves and they didn't have the lead in either of those innings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 Lidge also pitched 3 innings in Game 6 of the NLCS last year. And they would have to run out of pitchers before Clemens would come in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 Lidge threw the 11th and 12th in the marathon game against the Braves and they didn't have the lead in either of those innings. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> But they were at home. Garner has stated in the past that when you have last licks it's ok to use the closer to keep the tie because a run in the bottom of the inning wins it. Had that game been in Atlanta, I'm guessing he would have held Lidge back in the event of the Astros getting the lead in the top half of the inning so that Lidge could close it out in the bottom half. Lidge would have been the last guy out of the pen before Clemens in that case. What if the game goes 13-14 innings? Lidge is out. Could we see Roger Clemens try and finish it off? I doubt it. If it was game 7, probably. But given that the Astros have the luxury of being able to lose game 6, I don't see it happening. You have 10 other pitchers on the roster; surely one of them could get it done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 I disagree with Garner. I'm not saying that you should go to Lidge in the 10th or anything, but to have him as the last guy out there? I don't agree with that. What if they never get the lead and lose in 15? Would Garner be OK knowing that he left one of the most dominant closers in baseball this year sitting in the pen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 Yeah, I don't agree with it either. I think you want your best pitchers out there for as many innings as possible, regardless of the situation. As you say, what good does it do to hold him back for a save situation that never comes? While we're on the subject of disagreeing with Garner... I'm still confused as to why Jeff Bagwell is even on the playoff roster. Garner sent Vizcaino up to hit in the ninth of game 5 in a situation that was tailor-made for Bagwell: down a run, with Berkman due up fourth in the inning. Why not use Bagwell? He might not hit the tying home run, but he's more likely to get a hit than Vizcaino and, if nothing else, still draws walks like crazy. If you get him on, Berkman likely gets to the plate as the pennant-winning run. To me, that's your best chance to win and he didn't do it. Makes no sense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 Because Bagwell is a two-player switch, as he can't play defense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just John 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 I still don't understand why Vizcaino is on the roster. I cringe whenever he steps up to the plate because he grounds out to first or second every single time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 Because Bagwell is a two-player switch, as he can't play defense. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> With at least five players on the bench, what good is having them if you are not going to use them? One of the worst habits of managers is saving a useful player for a situation that doesn't happen. And speaking of bad managerial moves, what's the deal with the double switch in the eighth inning? What the hell is the point of double switching to use a reliever who's going to face one batter? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 And speaking of bad managerial moves, what's the deal with the double switch in the eighth inning? What the hell is the point of double switching to use a reliever who's going to face one batter? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's good to know the Phil Garner Double Switch running gag is still justified. The shit is brain surgery to that guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 Live AIM chat at TSMBaseball if anyone is interested. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaParkaYourCar 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 Wow he didn't tag him at all...I hate to say it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustJoe2k5 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 I don't care what the traditionalists say, baseball needs instant replay. Even if they just brought it in for the postseason, some of these calls are unbelievable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big McLargeHuge 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 LaRussa really should've asked for help from the other umps on that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustJoe2k5 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 Here's a question, if we have a Astros/White Sox World Series, how will the officials determine who to be biased to? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 Hilarious shot on Sportsnet here in Canada of the second base umpire clearly asking Everett after the play was over, "Did you tag him?" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustJoe2k5 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 I'm thinking we need a Congressional Hearing on the poor state of officiating in professional sports this year. All of the senators can reminisce about past officials they enjoyed watching officiate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaParkaYourCar 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 Oh great they're already putting up graphics for an Astros/White Sox World Series....they're gonna jinx Houston! EDIT: Nevermind.....WHOO HOOO!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted October 20, 2005 Damn I was hoping the Astros would Chicago Cub it but I guess not. Boo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 I picked the Braves to beat the Astros. I picked the Cardinals to pick the Astros. I was wrong. I seriously underestimated the 'Stros. Roy Oswalt perhaps enters the realm of great pitchers where he belongs. Congratulations to the Astros and all their fans, who have waited a hell of a long time for this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2005 I hate the Astros. Congrats and good luck in the World Series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
