Ok, so Brad Lidge didn’t look that great tonight. He looked terrible. He worked the bases loaded before Ryan Madson came in to retire the last two batters.
Now, before going and anointing Madson as the closer, which some peeps did before when Lidge struggled earlier, just look at the blown saves.
Lidge has blown 10 saves in 38 starts. Madson has blown 5 saves in 10 chances.
Ouch. For both of them.
Looking at those numbers, it’s obvious that the Phillies have bigger closer issues than just Brad Lidge. Blown saves aren’t the only number to base the closer’s spot off of, but they’re a big part.
Yes, Madson came in and ended the game, but who’s to say that Lidge doesn’t get a ground ball into a double play on the next pitch he throws?
At this point, there is no clearcut option for closer. Brett Myers is back, and he looks good, but no one knows for sure how he’s going to hold up for the rest of the season.
The best option, considering who is in the bullpen, is to go with a closer by committee for the foreseeable future. Just throw the relievers out there after considering the matchup. Let Lidge throw to some, Madson take some, and Myers takes the rest.
When one person can’t get it done, let them try it together. It can’t be any worse than what’s been trotted out there so far.
