The Sports Idiot

How close?  Very close.  Consider that Lidge is currently rehabbing in Clearwater while the Phillies are in Tampa playing the Rays.  That is how close he is to returning.  Then there is also the fact that Charlie Manuel said before Wednesday’s beatdown by the Rays that they would most likely activate Lidge today, Thursday the 25th of June.  Get him in your lineup, because he will immediately resume the role of the Hammer.

The Philadelphia Phillies are going through a rough stretch, losing eight of their last nine games.  Throw in that they have been swept in their last two series, against the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles, and you have the makings of death spiral.  Settle down, Phils fans, it is not the beginning of the end, it is just the June swoon the Phillies always seem to endure.

When things are going badly, though, they always seem to get a little bit worse before getting better.  When closer Brad Lidge went on the Prior List, most thought Ryan Madson would step in and do a stellar job filling in for him.  When Lidge blew his sixth save of the year, after going 41 – 0 in save opportunities during the 2008 World Series winning campaign, it made sense that something was not right with the hammer.  Be it mentally, or phyically, something was not adding up, and it looks like his knee may have indeed been the issue.  Enter Ryan Madson as the closer.

Madson nailed down his first two opportunities against the Mets.  Since then, however, he has an 0-2 record with two blown saves.  While I do think that Madson can get the job done as a closer, it does not appear that he is ready to do so yet.  The good news for the Phillies is that Brad Lidge should return this week, possibly as early as Wednesday.  When we hear the exact date, we will be sure to pass it along to you.

It is no secret that we are big fans of Mike Missanelli of ESPN950 out of Philly.  Yesterday, he had Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr on to discuss Brad Lidge being put on the 15 day Prior List.  Sounds to me like dude’s knee might actually be fine, and that they want Lidge to work through his mechanical issues in the Minors rather than Flushing Meadows.  Mikey Miss had the same feeling.  Throw in the fact that Lidge was not happy at all with the decision and we have the makings of testy situation in the Philadelphia bully.  The good news is that the Phils have Charlie Manuel, who I think is one of the best managers in baseball, and if anyone can get Lidge comfortable with this decision it is “Uncle Charlie”.

Personally, I do think Lidge has something wrong with his knee, and that he thinks he can pitch through it.  I do not think that his knee is why he was placed on the Prior List, however.  That move was made to protect Lidge’s state of mind.  If dude were to go into Queens and blow a save, he might once again fall into the death spiral of fail that paved his way out of Houston.

Brad Lidge was just placed on the Prior List (the 15 day variety) because of a knee sprain.  One has to immediately wonder how much of this is his knee, and how much of it is getting him a mental break.  His knee has been a problem in the past, so it seems pretty legit to me.

Look for Ryan Madson to get the bulk of the 9th inning work while Lidge is on the shelf.  Go ahead and see if he is available in your league, and if he is, find a more competitive one to join.  With Lidge already having six blown saves on the year and an ERA of 7.27 it was pretty clear that something is wrong with Lidge.  Hopefully he has not done too much damage to his psyche as well (see the end of his tenure in Houston).

This also increases the value of roider J.C. Romero, who should take over the 8th inning duties and be in line for some spot saves or cheap wins.

Before yesterday’s game against the Mets, Phillies closer Brad Lidge threw a 30 pitch bullpen session.  Apparently it went well, as he did not experience any discomfort in his knee.  Lidge should resume closing the next time the Phils have the lead in the ninth.  Move him back into the starting lineup immediately.

Cole Hamels was also supposed to throw a bullpen session yesterday, but the Phillies held him back.  They apparently did not want him to throw in the rain with a sprained ankle, which was the right move.  He will try to throw today instead, and if it goes well he will only see his next start pushed back one day to Tuesday rather than skipped altogether.  So it is still wait and see mode with Cole.

Don't worry guys, I'm watching this for you.

Tonight we should learn more about the health of both Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge.  They are set to throw bullpen sessions before tonight’s game against the Mets.  Hamels, who left Tuesday’s game with a left ankle sprain, is set on making his next start on Monday in St. Louis.

Lidge, on the other hand, could wind up pitching in tonight’s game if he makes it through the bullpen session unscathed.  When more information comes out, you’ll know where to find it.

Brad Lidge has not pitched since Saturday.  Why?  His right knee, you know, the one he was cut on twice before, is acting up.  Apparently his knee is inflammed, and an MRI on it showed no real damage. The Phillies have not announced that Lidge is going on the Prior List, mind you, but Brad is going to need to go to time out for a few days while he rests his knee.  Thus it would be in their best interest if they went ahead and did so.  It would also be in Lidge’s fantasy owners best interest. Ryan Madson is not available in your league, but he is the guy who will be getting saves while Lidge is out.

Brad Lidge blew his first save as a Philadelphia Phillie tonight.  The game is still going, and Lidge could still get the win, but this ends a phenomenal streak at 47 straight saves.

It does have to make you start to wonder about Lidge this year, however.  Through 6.2 innings Brad has given up seven earned runs already and three homers.  Sure he has struck out eight batters already, but with a WHIP sitting at about 1.80 he is not making any fantasy owners happy right now.  Do not lose faith just yet, as it is still early, but you have to wonder how Lidge will handle it if he blows another one soon.  We have not forgotten Houston already have we?

Keep your eye on Brad if you have him on your squad, maybe sit him for a game or two, but my bet is that he turns this thing around and becomes the hammer once more.