Come to Think of it...Brad Lidge's Perfect Penmanship Gives Phillies an Edge

Lost in all the hoopla surrounding the Anaheim Angels' Francisco Rodriguez' persuit and eventual overtaking of the MLB save record is one simple fact: Brad Lidge has not blown a save this year.

Yep, you read that correctly. The Phillies; closer is a perfect 40-for-40 in save opportunities thus far in 2008.

While baseball appropriately admires the record-setting 60 saves (and counting) from K-Rod, it seems Lidge has been overshadowed to the point where his perfection is just now becoming news.

While K-Rod has blown seven saves, Lidge continues to get the job done each time he is called upon. He also sports a 1.87 ERA and 89 strikeouts in just over 67 innings pitched.

Right-handed batters are hitting .108 off of Lidge and all MLB batters are hitting only .161 against him on the road this season.

NL MVP? The Phillies are 75-0 when leading after eight innings, primarily due to Lidge.

Despite his impressive numbers, he won't be setting any records this year. Eric Gagne once went 55-for-55 in save opportunities, although we now know there should be an asterisk next to that record.

Lidge's saves haven't all been easy. Many have been of the white knuckle variety. Still, the 6'5" righthander is always able to throw the right pitch to get out of any jam.

All this after things had gotten so bad in Houston that Lidge was booed off of the mound. Last year, he saved 19 games while blowing eight. Not good at all. The year prior to that, he sported a 5.28 ERA.

Perhaps the ironic part of his season is that he was the losing pitcher in the All-Star game, costing his league home field advantage in the World Series. That has been his only blemish this season.

In the meantime, let Ryan Howard and Chase Utley get the publicity. Brad Lidge just wants the ball, come to think of it.