Originally this post was going to be titled
"Back in Business", celebrating the Phillies sweep and their
current 5 game win streak. That was before Brad Lidge came in to pitch.
For the 98234th or so time, Brad Lidge almost gave every fan of
the Phillies a heart attack. What did we ever do to him? Was it
worshiping him in 2008? Is this what we get when we actually like a
player? And people ask why the Phillies fans hate so much. Since
his 2008 season, Lidge has done nothing but suck. Last year he had 8, that’s
right 8 losses, and 11 blown saves. That’s disgusting, and not the good
kind either. His ERA? 7.21.
So maybe he had one bad year. Wrong. In only 13 save opportunities Lidge has already been able to manage 3 blown saves. In his last
ten games his ERA is a pitiful 5.79 and his only win this season came off a
blown save he was able to somehow win. He only has 10 saves this year and
if you ask me, today’s game shouldn't count as a save.
So what should the Phillies do? Lots of people say Ryan
Madson. I say, ARE YOU CRAZY? Madson has just as many blown saves
as Lidge in 6 less opportunities. Not only that but he has a 5.51
ERA this season. He, just like Lidge, has one of his wins off of a blown
save and another just because he came in yesterday after a rain delay. So
his real record in my mind? 1-1. If you asked me who the closer should be
J.C Romero or Chad Durbin. Hell, let them switch off if it gets the job
done. The reason I say these guys, is because out of all the relief
pitchers, they have been playing the best. Now, even though they are not
closers, they could learn because right now something needs to be done about
pitching.
So today was supposed to be a happy day, a 4 game sweep, a 5
game win streak and it seems the Phillies are back on track. Sorry
but until Brad Lidge gets good, or replaced, I can not be truly
happy. Maybe tomorrow you will get a post about winning and happiness.