Ed Wade Needs More Relievers, Astros Lose

instead of Lindstrom. At least he had good enough stuff to close out games.

We had a 6 run lead last night….Lyon has struggled all season long but rather than put him in when we have a big lead, he waits to bring him in to blow another game. And he was obviously planning on either living or dying by Lyon as he had no one warming up in the pen when Lyon couldn’t get anyone out. Yes our choices we’re Enerio or Figgy but when Lyon comes in to the tune of BB, wild pitch, Single, Single….hmm maybe you should get someone up in the pen.

Lyon has to be done as the closer…right? I think Melancon has to prove that he can handle the high stress situations and keep his composure before he gets his shot. Lopez is the closer as soon as we know he’s healthy and Fulchino (keep your remarks to yourself) can be a good set up man. I’m thinking those 3 can alternate the 8th and 9th inning and ease the work load. Del Rosario has really impressed me but he’s inconsistant. I keep him as a 7th inning guy this year and maybe see him in the later innings next year.

Side note: An Rod did a FANTASTIC job today. I am really happy with the results even if he missed his spots a lot today.

…but not as a full-time closer. Not sharp enough control and not enough swings-and-misses…..Sill can handle the 8th, though.

I also don’t see Lopez as a potential closer; also not enough Ks, plus they may need to ration his workload after the sore arm…..Think Melancon should get first shot; then Fulchino (long shot, but he’s earned at least a chance); and then Valdez, who probably has the best stuff and might catch lightning in a bottle in a clearly-defined role (i.e, just get these three guys out).

It’s not like a couple (more) blown saves is going to cost us a playoff spot or anything; let’s give the kids a shot and see if one of them can seize the job….

For those who preferred Lindstrom over Lyon: I agree, but Lindstrom was tradeable and Lyon was not, due to their contracts. However, Lindstrom is also spectacularly inconsistent, so we might have been having this same conversation anyway…..
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For those of you saying that Lindstrom should have stayed and Lyon gone in the Barmes trade, you have to consider the money and talent level. Lyon is making 5.25 million, while Lindstrom is making 2.8 million. Lindstrom has proven he can miss bats, something Lyon struggles with at this stage in his career.

Why are people mad at Mills for this game? He sent out his closer to do his job. If Lyon had not performed badly, you wouldn’t be bemoaning Mills, now would you? Don’t confuse the decision with the result. How many other managers would have sent Lyon out there? The Astros don’t have the luxury of having Lyon put a man on and them immediately pulling him. No one does.

Why not move Lyon to Del Rosario’s low leverage role , send down DR, and call up Valdez? I like Valdez’s stuff much more than Del Rosario. Thoughts?

First I’ll say I’ve been pissed off and bent out of shape against Lyon since opening day (also against the potent Reds). I do think however he did a pretty descent job for us last year in that role and one, two, or three blown saves should not banish him from the closers spot. On the other hand he has looked shaky since the start of ST and hasn’t looked like the same pitcher from last year. I think if a player is taken out of his role too early he hasn’t been given the opportunity to succeed, but if the player has failed too often then he’s missed his opportunity. I think Lyon missed his opportunity today.

I can’t deny..I laughed

“Im done with him and I wish they would leave him in Cincy. Take away his alarm clock give him a room to himself and head out at 4 AM. Tell him you forgot about him and will come back and get him….in a few years”