If I.... were kiiiiiinnnnggg.. of the juuuuunnnnggllllleeee!

Err.. manager of the Astros anyways... I'd have Borkowski taking over closer duties for Brad Lidge for at least 2 weeks.  The only thing that would stop me for doing that immediately, is if I decided to put Borkowski in to spot start for Roy-O because of Roy's wrist.  Borkowski pitched excellent last night in relief and unfortunately got tagged with the loss going 6 innings, giving up two runs in the 18th inning after Brad Lidge gave up another devastating home run to ruin the Astros comeback over the Cubs. 

Borkowski has been great all season..  He's pitched 5+ innings in relief multiple times this season keeping the Astros into games well after the 9th inning was over.  He's been solid all season and only walked 13 people in 51.2 innings(or 1 batter just under ever 4 innings).  This compared to Brad Lidge who has walked 29 batters in 53.2 innings(or 1 batter just under ever 2 innings).  He's given up 3 home runs compared to Lidge's 8, he's given up 44 hits compared to Lidge's 51 and allowed 20 runs compared to Lidge's 35.  The only thing Lidge has done better this season is his strike out totals where Lidge has struck out 77 and Borkowski has struck out 42. 

You also have to take into consideration that every time Lidge goes out, he's pitching maybe one inning.  He's throwing one inning(57 games and 53.2 innings) giving it all he has to put up these stats, while Borkowski has been basically a long relief guy(29 games for 51.2 innings), conserving his energy over multiple innings and still putting up better stats. 

Don't get me wrong, Lidge has much better "stuff" than Borkowski and when he's on, he's a better pitcher than Borkowski.  But Borkowski is no slouch.. He's not fancy, doesn't have a slider that just drops off the table like Lidge, doesn't have a 97+ mph fastball like Lidge.  But what does he have?  Control.  He has really good control, and all of his pitches move just enough to throw the batter off.  Batters have a hard time getting all of the ball against Borkowski.  They put it in play a lot, but most of the time it's a pop up, or a weak grounder.

Right now I feel 100 times more comfortable putting Borkowski in to save games than I would Lidge.  When Lidge comes in, I'm crossing my fingers that he doesn't give up a home run.  I'm like 50-50 that Lidge is going to get the save.  Even when he comes in and totally dominates the first two batters striking them out in 6 pitches I'm always nervous that his 7th pitch will leave the building. 

You could make a case for Wheeler to come in and save games with Wheeler having the lower ERA with a 2.90, but Wheeler has had 5 save opportunities this year and he's blown two of them. 

I'd at least give Borkowski the chance.  Let him go until he blows a save.. if it last one game, then that's fine.. It's not like Lidge is a sure thing and it's not like Borkowski is going to be worse than Lidge has been this season..  I mean Lidge has given up at least a run in 22 of his games.  That's almost a run every other game! 

I'm not trying to get rid of Lidge because I don't like him.  I'm a HUGE Lidge fan!  I just can't take this anymore right now...  I need a break.. some time off.  If you and your girl are having fights every other time you see them; you take some time off.. give each other some room to breath for a few days and then come back to work it out and hope things are better.  If the time off doesn't help.. you demote her to Triple-A and find you a new girl =)