Make That Six: Dodgers 3, Phillies 2
by David S. Cohen on Jun 6, 2009 11:49 PM EDT
16 comments
The day after he blew a save that wasn't his fault, today Brad Lidge blew a save and it was entirely his fault. Lidge gave up a ninth-inning pinch-hit home run to Rafael Furcal (Rafael Furcal!), blowing his sixth save of the season. And it's only June 6!
Joe Blanton pitched great. Matt Stairs was almost the hero again in Los Angeles. And the rest of the bullpen was masterful until the very end. But Lidge's ninth inning troubles ruined this one for the Phils.
Here's something to think about -- Lidge's last four blown saves have been against the elite teams in baseball (two against the Yankees, two against the Dodgers). Are his troubles turning into a loss of confidence that may be affecting him more against the tougher teams?
Who knows, but right now, the Phillies are being hurt by his appearances. If I were the Phils, I'd find a way to get Lidge some rest while letting Romero and Madson take over the 8th/9th duties for a while.
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The poll
You should put the poll back up again and get another reading about what to do with Lidge. I suggested make Madsen and Romero the closers temporarily but I was in the minority.
by fan since late 40's on Jun 7, 2009 1:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s a well known fact tht the phillies make their moves based on fan opinion on a blog
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 7, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Remember when we used to finish the 8th inning with a 1-run lead and the game was essentially over because Lidge was coming in?
Well, now when Lidge enters the game with a 1-run lead we can actually expect to lose or go to extra innings. Lidge has blown 4 of 6 1-run save opportunities.
I have an idea: make Madson the 1-run closer and let Lidge come in in the 2 and 3 run situations until he returns to form.
by FuquaManuel on Jun 7, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is reminiscent so far of Lidges last year in Houston, 8 blown saves, 19 saves…
year before he had only 6 the entire season.
I’m so happy he’s signed for that long term extension
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 7, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
fuquamanuel
Good suggestion, but I would still like to see a revised poll.
by fan since late 40's on Jun 7, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Go for it!
You can write a Fan Post with your own poll.
by phatj on Jun 8, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really don’t have a problem w/ the long term signing. Not necessarily happy w/ him being our closer but I think that signing affected Myers and gave us the WS last year. Without that signing, I do not believe Lidge would have been perfect or Myers improve. Just a thought, no way to prove (or disprove). Do you think I have a point?
by DeanH on Jun 7, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 7, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Putting Lidge on the DL
I think with the fact that Lidge has blown six save attempts so far this season, and the possibility that his knee is still bothering him when he delivers to home plate, it maybe beneficial to put him on the DL for fifteen days just to get him some rest and to clear his head. We put Madsen in the closer role and let J. C. come in the eighth. We have good relievers in Scott Eyres and Clay Condrey that can bridge those middle innings from the sixth inning to when J. C. comes in to pitch in the eighth inning.
by RUSHmusicfan on Jun 7, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree but as mentioned above, do the Phils really care what their fans/bloggers think. IMO, it does not make sense to keep throwing him out there w/ a 1 run lead just to lose it. When was the last time he has saved a game against a team over 500?
by DeanH on Jun 7, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rollins dropped to 6th in tonight’s lineup. On the right track, but still 2 spots too high!
by FuquaManuel on Jun 7, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s more likely that Rollins will improve than Ruiz and Feliz will maintain their numbers I would think
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 7, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keep your head up Brad
You are a champion.
by BigPhillyStyle on Jun 7, 2009 11:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s great
Except this year he sucks – and it’s not last year – it’s this year – and what matters now is this year
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Jun 8, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But its all about his confidence. If they remove him from the closer’s role now, it will completely shatter his confidence and he will suck forever blah blah blah.
Frankly, if a pitcher is such an emotionally fragile bitch that when he loses his job for being an abject disaster it destroys his confidence, I don’t want that pitcher coming into close games anyways.
If anything, being demoted should motivate him. Hey, it worked for Myers and he is the biggest nutbag on the team.
by FuquaManuel on Jun 8, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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