See what I did there? Two different play on words in one sentence?
Seriously though, the Phillies have hit a rough patch with their pitching. At first, it seemed the starting pitching wasn’t as good as we all thought it would be. Now, the relievers are starting to struggle just as the starting pitchers are rounding into form.
Everyone knows that Ryan Madson blew a 3 run lead in the bottom of the 9th against the Braves last night to take a win away from Kyle Kendrick. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Madson isn’t a closer. Simple as that. There is a lot of bullshit out there about having a “closer’s mentality,” but Madson just falls apart when he comes into to close out a game. He’s an excellent setup man and will slide nicely back into that spot once Brad Lidge comes back. If/when Lidge gets hurt again, Charlie Manuel needs to go in another direction for picking his closer. He’d be better served by going with a committee than throwing Madson out there again.
While the pitchers in Philadelphia may be struggling now, there are a few pitchers on the way that should help. Brad Lidge is progressing nicely and shutting down minor leaguers in his rehab and should be back in Philly in a few weeks. Joe Blanton made a rehab start for Lakewood yesterday and got through 2 innings while only throwing 13 pitches. That’s impressive, even against minor leaguers. Those two should be back at some point in May. Blanton is targeting the first week in May and Lidge shouldn’t be too far behind.
It all boils down to the fact that it’s way too early to be worried about this team. Yeah, they’re going to blow some saves, we all saw it last year. After the incredible 2008 season, we all got spoiled and expected every time the Phillies had a late lead, the game was over. Doesn’t always happen that way, and it certainly didn’t happen that way last night.
2008 was a lucky season in more than a few aspects, but the health of the pitching staff played a major part. Injuries have been all over the pitchers last season and the beginning of this one, so it’s something that the Phillies will have to overcome.
Then again, it’s only April. I think we all need to relax a bit and remember that there are 149 games left to play, starting with tonight’s game. Roy Halladay gets his first chance as to be a “stopper” and be the ace that he has shown himself to be thus far.
