(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The Phillies finally can understand just a little bit of what we have been going through. Phillies’ struggling closer Brad Lidge was placed on the disabled list today with what the team is calling a sprained knee. There were suspicions that the closer was not 100 percent, and those ended up being true. Lidge will now take the next two weeks to heal up and try to rediscover what made him so dominant last season.
Thus far in 2009, Lidge has just 13 saves in 19 attempts. His ERA stands at a staggering 7.27 and the Phillies will use phenomenal set-up man Ryan Madson in his absense.
This must be music to the Mets’ ears.
This may have been the opportune time to face Lidge, but let’s face it. He was due for a good outing. Also, this throws the rest of the Phillies’ bullpen into flux. Guys are going to need to switch roles to accommodate for the loss, and maybe that will make a big difference when it comes to the seventh and eighth innings. That’s usually when the game is decided between these two clubs.
This probably means guys like Chad Durbin and Clay Condrey will need to step it up for the Phillies, because I doubt that they would attempt to bring in Madson for a six-out save. Also, you have to wonder if the nerves will get to Madson, seeing how the rush is so much bigger in the ninth inning. Just ask JJ Putz.
Things just got very interesting.
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