As New York Mets fans know being in first place in the National League East in September is not the most secure place in recent years. The mighty Mets fell out of the top spot and eventually relinquished the title to our Fightins each of the last two seasons. The FIghtins presently hold that leadership perch this season and one would think that with a 5 and 1/2 game lead and a magic number of 16 as of the time of this writing that such lead would be relatively safe………. as the New Yorker’s would tell you, don’t count on it till the fat lady sings!
The Phillies have not played well in September this season, they were swept in a four game series in Houston by the Astros and albeit came back to win two of three against the Nationals in Washington struggled to do so. Everyone knows that the team offense is predicated on the long ball but recent times have seen that reliance to become somewhat alarming. The Fightins run production recently has been delivered 60% of the time on home runs ! Too often they have been unable to produce runs with runners in scoring position and less than two outs. If the team holds on and wins their third straight division title, which I expect them to by the way, the playoff run will be short if they do not figure out how to get back to offense 101 and move runners to score the small ball way also. Home Runs usually don’t fly against the pitchers you see in the playoffs.
On top of the offensive woes the bullpen has been a real worry, Brad Lidge blew another game in Houston and struggled so mightingly in a game in Washington that skipper Charlie Manuel had to go get him in the ninth in favor of Ryan Madson who eventually closed the win. Madson, though is not a closer just yet as he displayed against the Mets in yesterday’s game by blowing his sixth save of the season. Brett Myers also pitched poorly against the Mets yesterday giving up a two run blast himself in the eighth inning set up roll. Bottom line is this, anyone who does not realize that the Phillies must get Lidge right in the closer roll is blind as a baseball fan, the skipper knows it and will attempt to take the last few weeks of the season to try and get him right.
In today’s game against the Mets Kyle Kendrick stepped up in a spot start opportunity and threw very well leaving with a 5 to 2 lead. Matt Stairs doubled in the home eighth and was plated by Andy Tracy with a single to score that fifth run in what may become one of the more important RBI’s of the season. The skipper brought in Mr. Lidge to attempt to get the game done and he needed every one of those three runs to do so as he converted a save for the 5-4 win. I truly think that even though he struggled once again with hanging sliders that were hit hard by two Met hitters the fact that he was able to convert with two strike outs may indeed finally be the bridge back to where we need him to be.
I repeat, this team needs Brad Lidge to close, he is the best option we have and the success of the season will hinge on his ability to recover.
Chatter
Kudo’s to Phillie fans who gave Lidge a very nice ovation when he came into the game today, it was a show of class for a class act, Lidge has never ducked his responsibility this season and does not deserve any boo birds wrath for that, he has not performed on the field but as we saw last season the Phillies home crowd can be a great attribute to the home team if we are behind them, this is a very good team we have, no room to be negative now fellow Phillie Phans, not if we want another title which is indeed in reach!
Pedro Martinez goes tonight against his old teammates in the night portion of the day-night twin bill. Pedro has been excellent thus far so let’s hope that streak continues. Has anyone noticed that Jamie Moyer could actually have 15 wins this season if not for the last two games where he left with a lead and the bullpen collapsed, not bad for a spot starter eh! J.A. Happ is still struggling with a strained obligue and may miss another start, good thing we have Moyer ready to take the ball. Clay Condrey threw in Reading in a rehab assignment but no word if he is ready to resume big league service, the injury to his obligue has cost the valuable right hander a big chunk of the season, J.C. Romero is still struggling with elbow woes as is fellow lefty Scott Eyre. If those two guys can’t get back in time to finish the season don’t be suprised to see Mr. Happ in the bullpen as the team has only inexperienced Sergio Escolona and Jack Taschner in the pen presently from the left side.
Magic number is at 16 and Marlins are losing right now to Nats 7-1 in the eighth so there is a possibility that can go to 14 if they lose and the Fightins win behind Pedro tonight. Good time to be a Phillie Phan folks!
Note : The Fighins have four guys with 30 or more home runs this season, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley…….. those four guys have more than many entire teams including those lowly Mets, indeed a great time to be a Phillies Phan !
