Skip to main content

Bad Lidge

By
So far this season, Brad Lidge has been scored on in 8 of his 15 appearances, including his last 5. Last season it took Lidge until Joe Blanton's first Phillies start on July 22nd, to be scored upon 8 times. In fact, through May 14th last year, Lidge had only been scored on once (his first run allowed was on May 13th). All of Lidge's runs this season are earned. It was August 3rd last season before Lidge let up earned runs for the 8th time.

There have been rare occasions where Lidge struggled this badly. To start his career with Houston in 2002, Lidge was scored on in his first three appearances. In August 2006, Lidge let up runs in three straight appearances for the second time in his career. The following month, Lidge was scored on in 6 out of 8 appearances. Lidge's 2006 season ERA was 5.28. Other than that single rough year, Lidge's highest season ERA came in his first full season in the Majors, 2003, at 3.60. There have been no times in Lidge's career that he was scored upon in more than 3 consecutive outings, before now.

His current ERA, through 15 appearances, is 8.59. In Lidge's difficult 16 game stretch from mid-August 2006 when he was scored on in three straight, to when he was scored on in 6 of 8 in September, his ERA was 5.39. So, the reality of all this is that his start to the 2009 season is the worst stretch of games in Brad Lidge's career.

What exactly is wrong with Lidge? I don't know. The Phillies may not know. Brad Lidge may not even know. A role reversal may be in order. Ryan Madson, known to some as "The Bridge to Lidge", may be the more reliable guy to trust when a game is on the line. Madson has thrown 9 straight scoreless outings, and batters are hitting .211 off of him. We know the streak that Lidge has going, and opponents are batting .317 off of him. Maybe a DL stint is in order. Maybe that will be put off, by the Phils, till JC Romero is closer to returning (his suspension is up, barring rain outs, on June 3rd). Maybe pitching coach Rich Dubee will do his job and fix the problem. Maybe Lidge will get back to being Mr. Perfect. Maybe I am having a bad dream. Pinch me.
Labels:

Comments

GM-Carson said…
I like your omission of the "r" from Brad's, oops I mean Bad's name.
May 15, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Amanda said…
I think Eaton has a lower ERA than him...
May 15, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Anonymous said…
Now pitching for the Phillies- BAD Lidge.
Something needs to change. He's not the same any longer.....


-OBC
May 16, 2009 at 2:14 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

By
With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular
Post a Comment
Read more

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

By
The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in
Post a Comment
Read more

Rappers in Phillies Caps

By
Weekend greetings to you phine pholks out there. Today's post features pictures of rappers wearing Phillies caps. Why rappers in Phillies caps, you ask? Because... Any other questions? We will start things off properly by going with a highly recognizable hip hop star. 50 Cent stays constantly relavant by consistantly creating radio friendly material to help sell (G) units, while he "keeps it real" by still rapping about the thug life he lived before becoming the 2nd highest earning black entertainer in America. 50 is seen here in a recent interview rocking a throw-back Phillies cap. Next up we'll use a throw-back screen cap from what may be the very first major appearance by a rapper wearing Phillies gear. Chuck D, of legendary rap group Public Enemy, wore a Phillies cap in the music video for rap anthem Fight The Power in 1989. The song was the lead single from the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing . Next up we'll go with some home grown tal
3 comments
Read more