Brad Lidge returned to the mound for the Philles last night, having been activated from the 15 day DL for a knee injury. He closed out a 5-4 game against the Blue Jays, securing Jamie Moyer’s 252nd career victory. Although this was Lidge’s first appearance since returning (and for that we must not be as critical), he was far from dominant.
Lidge threw 15 pitches in one inning of work. He didn’t strike out a single batter, and he walked one and surrendered one hit. That’s a 2.00 WHIP and a 0/1 SO/BB ratio.
Now this is just one appearance so we can’t analyze his stats too much. Moreover, he did in fact nail down the save. So where’s my qualm?
It lies in Lidge’s present ability. What is it??
The Philles have no chance of getting far into the playoffs without a dominant closer. Lidge was an integral part of their championship run in 2008 and, without him, no such run is possible in 2009. More specifically, without a dependable closer, no such run is possible.
So if Lidge proves in the near future that he is not healthy enough or not able enough (for whatever reason) to close out games, the Phillies will have to look elsewhere, whether it is within their bullpen or farm system, or out on the trade market in the coming weeks.
But I think Lidge will be reliable. I don’t think he’s going to be nearly as dominant as he was last year, but I think that, when he is handed the ball, he will get the job done more often than not. It may not be as pretty or spectacular as in the past, but a save is a save.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Blue Jays, Brad Lidge, Closer, Jamie Moyer, Philadelphia, Philles, Toronto
Thanks for the link…keep up the good work! PN
Watched the whole game yesterday… Lidge looked very shaky. If it was not for some brutal baserunning from John MacDonald, who knows what would have happened.
On a side note, the Jays should have won that game. They had the sacks drunk with 2 outs in the bottom of th eigth… an Cito pinch-it Russ freakin Adams, owner of a .689 career OPS.
Then in the ninth, runners on first and second with no outs, Hill (already with 2 home runs) is up to bat. I am not a fan of the bunt at all, but in this situation how can you not. A successful bunt gives you two chances for a base hit to win the game, and even a fly ball ties it. Then again, it was Wells on deck… Instead Hill pops out, Johnny Mac gets picked off at second and Wells predictably does not get on.