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Lidge's role in flux

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37 comments

Lidge's role in flux

POSTED: Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 5:17 PM

Andy Martino

Regardless of what happens in tonight’s game—and Brad Lidge could be the closer if a need for one arises, but he also might not, according to Charlie Manuel today—one thing is clear: the situation has shifted from where it has been all season.

Manuel said “Brad Lidge is a closer,” but unlike at every other point this year, he did not say “Lidge is my closer.”

It had already changed last night, when Ryan Madson began warming in the ninth at the first signs of trouble for Lidge. “We wanted him ready,” Dubee said. “If we had to use him, I didn’t want him to wait until the last second. I just wanted him ready in case the situation came up."

Manuel said that, while he remained committed to getting Lidge right, he felt a different kind of hunch last night: the need to get Lidge out of the game. “We just go with how I feel,’ Manuel said. “Definitely I want to be loyal to him and things like that, but at the same time, like I told him last night, winning the game is the first priority.

"But the more that I sat there and the way the game went, I felt like basically I had to go take him out. Basically, if we were going to win the game, I didn’t like how I felt about it.”

“I’m getting kind of tired of it, if you want to know the truth. I am, and the reason is because I figure I can put him in the game when I want to. I’ve been very loyal to him, and I’ve stuck with him. I did everything I think possible to get him going. There is no way I would ever lie to him, because I don’t do that, and I don’t have a history of doing that.

“But at the same time, we’ve got to win the games. The best way we’ve got to win the games now, if that includes Brad is not out there to close, then I guess that’s going to be my decision."

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Comments (37)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:15 PM, 09/09/2009

"nothing but the truth" speaks the truth. the phils being showcased on national TV in last fall allowed the league's batters to see the real deal. the only pitches Lidge can get in the strike zone are a fastball with no movement and a half-slider which hangs thigh high. smart hitters this year cannot wait to pick a bat against him this year. moyer or martinez need to give him some lessons in changing the grip on the fastball to create movement in the zone or else he might just be of little value for the rest of his career.

— barrywil

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:47 AM, 09/10/2009

Myers and Madson alternate? Madson is a very, very good setup man. In the meantime, let him throw in the 9th as Brett works his way back into shape. I still believe that if this team makes the playoffs, Myers is the go to guy. Remember what made the Phils devastating last year? Romero in the 7th, Madson in the 8th and the closer. Well, Lidge can't do it any more this year. Romero is questionable, and I'm not sure Eyre or Chan Ho can give a great 7th, if we need it. These year's starters are flat out better.

— VANDERGRAAFK

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:02 AM, 09/10/2009

[Posted by Nothing but the truth 05:39 PM, 09/09/2009 I think people forget that this is how Lidge was pitching last year. Last year he was throwing that same slider in the dirt and batters were swinging. He never came close to the strike zone last year. ] So, the league has made adjustments, while Lidge has not! He needs the KK treatment!

— jman

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:04 AM, 09/10/2009

[Posted by Robert M Kraus Sr 09:14 PM, 09/09/2009 Hey, when is Jamie Moyer going to get into a game?] Are you even paying attention? Moyer has pitched several times since Martinez took his spot. Even started once!

— jman

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:35 PM, 09/10/2009

Role is all fluxed up for sure.

— mick314

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:18 PM, 09/10/2009

[Posted by JSaq 06:52 PM, 09/09/2009 Brett Myers...for now. Let Lidge get himself settled, maybe claim an ankle "injury" and get him a rehab stint with the Pigs.] That's going to be difficult, since the Iron Pigs' season ended already.

— jman

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:20 PM, 09/10/2009

[Posted by ronsullivan12 09:27 PM, 09/09/2009 I've gotta give Manuel a little credit for this one. This was definitely a move with a pair of balls behind it. It couldn't have been easy, but I'm glad he was able to step up and make the tough decision ...] Giving Manuel credit? For an obvious move that should have been made weeks ago (regardless of Lidge's 2008 contributions)?

— jman