Wheeler Replaces Lidge as Houston Closer — For Now
April 10, 2007 by Geoff Young
Filed under Personalities
After watching Brad Lidge struggle during the first week of the season, Houston Astros manager Phil Garner has removed Lidge from the closer role. In his place steps right-hander Dan Wheeler.
Wheeler has been one of the better relievers in the National League the past couple years, and I’m sure he’ll do a fine job closing games for Houston. That said, folks who are writing off Lidge might want to bear this quote from Garner in mind:
Two games in this season is not a sample to say he’s done as the closer. I don’t feel like that at all. What I feel like is that there’s a little bit of a carryover from last year. I think he’s not been as sharp as he should be. I want to give him, first and foremost, more consistent work. And secondly what I’m looking for out of this is that he again approaches where I think he feels like when he comes out of the bullpen that the game is done.
What happens in the first week of April does not necessarily represent how things are going to be all season long. Garner knows this, as do Lidge and Wheeler. Conditions constantly change. People adapt to these changes.
Wheeler is the closer in Houston right now. Good for him; I hope he excels in the role. But don’t think we’ve heard the last from Lidge.
