As we all know, and was shown once again tonight, the back end of the Phillies bullpen needs serious work.
Brad Lidge has blown 11 saves, has an 0-8 record and an ERA well above 7. Yes, he got to 30 saves for the 4th straight season, but he obviously doesn’t have it. There’s something missing from the Brad Lidge of 2009 that the Lidge of 2008 had.
Ryan Madson has been given every opportunity to move to the closer’s role and has failed every time. He’s a premier 8th inning setup man, but putting him in during the 9th inning just does something to him. He can’t get it done.
It’s frustrating as hell to the fans, and I can only imagine how hard it must be on the players. They bust their ass for 8 innings to get the lead and then have to watch as the bullpen throws it all away. I can’t blame the rest of the team if they were frustrated at this point, because we all know we are. Having 17 blown saves is ridiculous. This could have been a 100 win team.
Charlie Manuel has a huge decision to make. Lidge and Madson haven’t been able to get it done in the closer’s role. It’s obvious. Keep Madson in the setup role and put someone else in as closer.
Brett Myers’ name has been thrown out there as the person who should be closing, but with his recent shoulder issues, who knows how he’s going to hold up in the postseason.
The only way to try and correct this is to go with a “closer by committee.” Saves are a bullshit stat to begin with, so why only have one person designated to go out there and get one? Use whoever has been pitching well and let them go at it.
If Chad Durbin pitches the 8th and looks good, let him go back out for the 9th. Same with Tyler Walker, Chan Ho Park & everyone else in the Phillies’ bullpen.
Hell, throw Jamie Moyer out there. It can’t be any worse than what we’ve seen so far this season.
buw8in2ftg
