The Astros have bigger problems than their closer.

Their terrific starting pitching will keep them afloat.

I think (hope) JoA is talking about Preston Wilson first and foremost. That guy is HORRIBLE.

Brad Ausmus, too. Oh, and Mike Lamb. Both of them are hitting over their heads this year.

Brad Ausmus is a problem?

The last time Brad Ausmus was an acceptable hitter, he was in Detroit.

You do realize he's hitting ~.315 thusfar, right?

good closers don't allow men on to get into a double play situation to begin with. try again, please.

Yes, which is why I said "Both of them are hitting over their heads this year." I guess I'm not as optimistic as you that a 37-year-old catcher will hit over .300 for the first time in his career.

Yes, good closers never allow people to get on base.

I hadn't realized that a catcher needs to hit over .300 to be considered a non-"problem".

It wasn't a save situation

When coming into a tie game with the runner on third and one out, I am quite happy with allowing a walk to put a runner on first and set up the double play rather than pitching down the middle and having the batter hit a sac fly or an infield grounder to take the lead.

Lidge did what he needed to do. If Berkman makes that play which he should have the inning is over and the game is still tied.

no but they try not to. and even IF a double play ball was botched, that doesn't excuse the subsequent wild pitch and two hard hits afterwards.

lidge sucked last night. period.

Seriously? What basis of comparison are you using? He's been one of the NL's top 5 or 6 closers for a long time now.

If you take Ausmus's highs in BA, OBP, and SLG as an Astro you get a line of .258/.351/.347. Those are his highs - his 2nd highest OBP is .322.

Last year was his best year as an Astro and he was still the 5th worst hitting catcher among those with 400 PA. In 2003, he was the 2nd worse. 2002? The worst. 2001? 3rd worst.

I'd say that's a problem.