Brad Lidge

Continue reading "Phils take two of three from Yanks."

Where do I begin. Its very hard to gauge a team based on their performance against the Nats.  The Phillies could have blown that game WIDE open. On the night, the Phillies had twenty, yes TWENTY, runners in scoring position and only managed to get 8 home. Blanton struggled with command again walking 6 over five innings. Which further proves my point that the umpires have a league wide squeeze on the strike zone this year. I really can't put that much blame on Lidge for blowing the save Friday nights debacle of a game. The first hit barely made it passed the pitchers mound and the one Dunn hit, Feliz did the right thing at getting the lead runner. Yeah Utley through a slider to Ruiz and could have had Dunn out to end the ball game, but oh well. I was actually really looking forward to seeing Happ pitch Saturday night, but it obviously wasn't meant to be. I really do feel for Manny Acta. Does he have anyone in the pen with an ERA under 4? It seems like either the pitching or the defense or a combination of both let him down all weekend long.

Continue reading "Weekend Series Update: Philadelphia ..."

The NL used 11 pitchers and the AL 12, meaning that if the game had continued much longer, Selig might still have had to face the tough set of choices outlined above. As it was, the game taxed pitchers like Brandon Webb (who had pitched seven innings and 108 pitches two days before), George Sherrill (the Orioles’ closer, who pitched two and a third innings), and Scott Kazmir (who had also pitched on Sunday, logging six innings and 104 pitches). Webb and Kazmir weren’t supposed to appear at all, with Tampa manager Joe Maddon specifically requesting that Kaz rest his arm, and we have yet to see what the effects might be on them, or guys like Carlos Marmol, who threw an inning in spite of recent struggles and a strong need for rest.

Continue reading "Six Extra Innings of Meaning"

Philadelphia Phillies

Can Brad Lidge nail down the closer’s role?

The first thing is getting Lidge healthy. He had offseason surgery on his knee but looks to be back in the bullpen early in April. His struggles since giving up that monstrous home run to Albert Pujols in the playoffs has been well documented and he even lost his job as the closer with the Astros last season. He did regain the role in June and went on to rack up all 19 of the saves he had last season after the All-Star break. With Lidge in the closers role, the Phillies bullpen stacks up fairly well led by Tom Gordon in the setup role. Gordon is an excellent second option to close games however that greatly affects the bullpen depth unless Philadelphia wants to return Brett Myers to closer, but that leaves a gaping hole in the starting rotation.

Continue reading "MLB 2008 Season Preview: National League East"