Game 105 open thread: Who's Your Closer?
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Game 105 open thread: Who's Your Closer?
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WASHINGTON -- There are so many concerning stats about Brad Lidge's season.
Take his 10.6 percent swinging strikes, the lowest of his career by far. His fastball is averaging 92.5 m.p.h., continuing a precipitous drop in velocity. Factor that in with a slider that has basically maintained the same velocity and Lidge doesn't have as great a difference between his two pitches like he's used to.
His walk rate is the highest it's been since his rookie season. He is much worse pitching with runners on than with the bases empty. And recently, a lot of runners get on base against Lidge.
There are so many red flags, yet Lidge remains the closer, Charlie Manuel says. Part of that is because Manuel doesn't believe there is anyone in his bullpen that could assume Lidge's role. That remains to be seen.
When asked if Ryan Madson, who is 14 for 23 in save opportunities in the last two seasons, could take over, Manuel bristled.
"I hear you guys say that for two goddamn years now," Manuel said. "I hear this and that. What the hell? We try this guy, try that guy. Then I hear you bitch to me about the roles. I can go on all night long. Let's just drop it right there."
So who's your closer?
Talk about the game here. Follow me on Twitter (@magelb) for updates.
Comments (24)
i say give durbin a shot he is one of the best relievers we got, or they need to call someone up but lidge/madson are not the answer— soniclife- the prevailing logic states that since the Phils have invested a huge salary into Lidge, they can't move him and therefore, using an irrational argument, must use him which is wholly incredulous. My question is this: If they are so concerned with salary commitments, then don't they realize they are wasting the MILLIONS of dollars they have spent on their other players, assuming they were put in place to "win games", when Lidge takes the mound and blows a game? In other words, what is the point of their investment across the whole roster if it all hinges on one singular player who can literally determine the final outcome of every critical game that is close in the ninth inning? I also wrote this to a prominent writer for his thoughts. Amaro blew it, trading for a questionable Oswalt rather than a top bullpen stopper which I have ranted about for weeks along with most of you. It fell on deaf ears and again Amaro has not addressed the Phillies most debilitating weakness. Using the cliche of the "lesser than two evils" concept, wouldn't be better to eat Lidges salary by benching or re-assigning him then wasting the millions they just spent on Oswalt who could conceivably pitch one hit, one run ball for the next four games only to see it wasted when Lidge is waived in to close the ninth inning? How does that make any rational sense? Why is Cholly afraid to challenge management - his pension? I know logic doesn't apply to the whims of baseball moguls but unless their purpose is NOT to win, then why bother investing so many millions into big name players only to allow the entire season to hinge on its weakest most inept liability, Brad Lidge? Surely, Atlanta's Cox considers Lidge a gift that keeps on giving.— daystrum
- Turn him into Adam Eaton. Bring up anybody else. Zagursky? Mattheissen? Whoever.— gfweb
- The Howard injury looks bad, really bad.— nilsen
- Charlie HAS to make a move.. Lidge is costing us games.. no division, NL titles with him as closer. Reality check.— Nezhy
- Sprained right ankle for Howard.— nilsen
- Contreras has the stuff, just needs the opportunity. Madson has the stuff and you have to figure his failures in the 9th are completely mental, but you can't have him figuring that out in the middle of a pennant race. And unless there's something they're not telling us about Mathieson, they need to get his 11.4 K/9 and 3.6 K/BB and get him some battle testing NOW. Oh, and Baez needs to go.— beegee73
- J.Contreas should be the closer. Lidge is completly finished. I dont know how the coaches dont see this. He cant throw his slider for a strike walks a few guys then throws a FB right down the pipe for a HR. We have seen this time and time agian. He did it tonight, in COL but we had a 3 run lead so he still got the save. He did it in CIN twice, and he did it in MIN. 21 IP 21 hits 13 ER 5 HR 14 BB. The guy is finished. If we wnat to make the postseason we have to make a change. Send him down to aaa let him get a few saves and his confidence back by some miracle. If he dosent then keep him there. Let Contreas take over he will do a 10 times better job than lidge he has better stuff dosent walk people very much and if someone gets on base he dosent fall apart and is able to get strike outs. At this point i would rather anybody than lidge anyone in the bullpen even Beaz. If no one can do the job call up Mathesion, Schwimer, Bastardo anyone would be a better choice than Lidge. I promise you we will not make the post season with Lidge as our Closer. I just pray the coaches think the samething.— Joey0210
- It's not fun watching Lidge,but he was MUCH worse last year. Cholly managed the situation, got his confidence up as much as possible, and we made it to the WS. Watch last year's season, if you want to watch what's gonna happen.— tommy_the_k
- League has figured Lidge out. Keep him as closer and kiss the playoffs good-bye.— Claudio Vernight
- I like Durbin to close also. He's a ground ball pitcher. Worth a try.— bossrjc
- This is why I thought the Phillies should've made a serious push to get Kevin Gregg or Octavio Dotel, to back of the bullpen guys with closer experience.— MattKnife
Somebody and anybody not on the current roster— shawnmac- Poor 'ol Lidge! Little did he know that The Year He Was PERFECT was just a set-up by the baseball gods so they could stick needles in him the next few years. Sure do wsh (NOW!) that it was a two year deal he had been rewarded with. And that is not a slam at Ruben! Just a little wistful thinking.— TBear
- Not much to choose from on this roster...or in this organization, for that matter. I suppose Madson has the best arm for the job but is almost as scary as Lidge has been in closing opportunities. At this point, you have nothing to lose so i would give Mathieson a few opportunities. As Charlie says, "What the hell?"— MrPhillie
- Kevin gregg was a FA last year but Amaro signed Beaz for double the money.— Joey0210
- Lidge looks pretty good today....a make-up for yesterday....perhaps we fans just want too much although some one to close out a game you should win doesn't seem like an unreasonable expectation....good to see the team bounce back though after yesterday.— ajp
- Lidge looks pretty good today....a make-up for yesterday....perhaps we fans just want too much although some one to close out a game you should win doesn't seem like an unreasonable expectation....good to see the team bounce back though after yesterday.— ajp
- Daystrum.....where did you notice a bullpen stopper was actually available?....I agree Lidge is not the answer, and yes we should still have Mr. Lee, but Oswalt I don't consider questionable. I'm on the fence for Amaro, but he pulled off a good deal if we can make it to the playoffs. More importantly right now, is if this team would start hitting like it can, close games will not be a big issue. Mathieson deserves a look...he can't be worse. Contreras maybe....Lidge ain't the one, but I don't recall any solid closers being available.— dirttracker
- Lidge is too much. Like I said, some days his body will throw and he'll make the save, but on others it will be ugly. In case anyone didn't notice, he threw quite a few hangers that were missed today by the Nats. His slider was backing up and had absolutely no bite. The hitters were swinging expecting the pitches to break! And missing them! Also his velocity was down another 1 mph over yesterday. This is to be expected when he throws on back to back days with a deteriorating elobow and knee. And I know there are other medical people out there who saw what I did.....Lidge flexing and stretching his arm/elbow after nearly every pitch. As a pitcher and a medical professional, I can tell you that is the most obvious sign that a pitcher is having trouble with his arm. Not necessarily pain, he may be telling us all the truth when he says nothing hurts. But, his body language says the arm is a problem, it's not loose, or it's dead and he can't get any action on his pitches or he has no zip, etc, etc, etc. Charlie needs to get him 3 days off now to let his body recuperate some. Let's hope the break day and the next few starting pitchers cooperate. And thank our lucky stars for Wilson Valdez. I know this guy hits into a lot of DPs but think about it folks, he's been in the middle of so many of our wins the last month with either his D or his timely hitting or like today with his bunt and hustle to start off the 11th inning. If only Jroll and Victorino would watch and learn to do that for us. This team could finally be the small ball/long ball complete team we all know it can be. BTW, I think Valdez has sewn up his spot on Charlie's bench for the next few years. Way to go Wilson— Mark1npt
- Contreras.— iceman
- How about JC? His numbers are very good.— doc35
- My closer is bastardo, his ERA is close to 0 as a closer in Lehigh— cje246
- Mark1npt....No offense, but weren't you the same medical guy with pitching experience that said Cole Hamels couldn't locate his fastball because of elbow issues? Still think he has elbow issues?...A few days off is not going to change Lidge...it's time to give Mathieson a shot.— dirttracker
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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