Brad Lidge Must Return to Form in 2010
Struggling Phillies Closer Needed to Win Third Straight NL Pennant
Nov 7, 2009
If the Philadelphia Phillies are going to reach a third consecutive World Series in 2010 – and rest assured that is the team’s goal – they will need formerly unhittable closer Brad Lidge to perform substantially better than he did this season. Otherwise, a return trip to the Fall Classic will be about as likely as Glenn Beck being named People’s Sexiest Man Alive.
Brad Lidge's 2009 Season Was One to Forget
Brad Lidge’s struggles in 2009 are well documented: during the regular season, he was 0-8 with a 7.21 ERA and 11 blown saves. He briefly returned to form in the first two rounds of the playoffs, but then surrendered three runs in a game-losing ninth inning performance in Game 3 of the World Series that was all too reminiscent of the Mitch Williams days in Philadelphia.
All this, of course, after he was “Lights Out Lidge,” who saved 48 games in 48 chances in 2008.
While Lidge’s 2009 is cause for serious concern, it isn’t yet reason for despair. After all, Lidge is only 32, and he is physically healthy. In the earlier postseason, his slider was as good as ever, both in terms of movement and control, and that helped him save three games and win one more.
But most importantly, Lidge has been through this kind of a slump before.
Brad Lidge's Prior Collapse in 2006
Lidge was among the top closers in the National League in 2004 and 2005, a two-year period during which he saved 71 games, posted a 2.03 ERA, and struck out 260 batters in 164 innings. But in 2006, he was a disaster. It appeared that he had lost it. Lost it bad. He went 1-5 with an ERA of 5.28.
But in 2007, Lidge rebounded, first losing and then regaining the closer’s role with Houston. He pitched well enough to convince the Phillies to trade some pretty good players for him, and of course, surpassed his earlier greatness with an historic 2008.
Manager Charlie Manuel Supports Lidge
Another factor in Lidge’s favor is his manager. Charlie Manuel is loyal, sometimes to a fault. But he is loyal. He always defended Lidge, and expressed his belief that his closer would find his groove. Through Manuel’s careful management, Lidge did recover – for a while. Although he used Ryan Madson at times in save situations, including some games down the stretch, Manuel said time and again that Lidge was his closer “yesterday, today and tomorrow.”
He carefully used Lidge in key situations where he was likely to succeed. He made sure that Lidge was on the mound when the team clinched the National League East, won the NLDS and then the NLCS. The success built Lidge’s confidence and during those first two rounds, he resembled the old Lidge. That is good managing. Then of course, it all went to hell in Game 3 of the World Series, but the point is clear: Charlie is going to support Lidge, and that only helps.
The bottom line is this: if Brad Lidge can pitch anywhere close to the way he threw in 2004, 2005 and 2008, the Phillies will be back in the Fall Classic next year. If he pitches like he did this year, they won't.
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