Phillies' Bullpen Breakdown

The Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen has been one of the true surprises of the 2008 regular season and playoffs and has played an integral role in the Phillies reaching the World Series for the sixth time in franchise history and first since 1993.

Although the bullpen has gotten contributions from a number of arms, four of their bullpen stalwarts have been the most important throughout the season.  These four are Chad Durbin, JC Romero, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge.

Chad Durbin

Chad was signed as a free agent in the offseason and throughout the year was the go-to guy in the sixth and seventh innings, or any time the Phillies needed the pen to get more than just a couple of outs. He compiled a 5-4 record, with a 2.87 ERA, making 71 appearances, and pitching 87.2 innings.

Although Chad struggled down the stretch, the service he provided during the majority of the regular season helped lead the bullpen to the best ERA in the NL.  Chad has not pitched frequently in the postseason, making four appearances, while giving up two runs (one earned) in 2.2 innings. Many people say that his arm is tired, as his numbers dramatically declined down the stretch in September and October.

I do not look for Chad to get a lot of action in the World Series unless one of the starters gets into early trouble.  Although it is true that Chad was an integral part of the Phillies overall success out of the pen this year, his numbers down the stretch and career high in appearances have led many to believe that his arm is spent.

JC Romero 

JC was signed last season after being released by the Boston Red Sox and quickly became a vital part of the Phillies' success down the stretch. 

In the offseason, the Phillies made re-signing JC a priority, and although he hit a couple of rough patches, he has remained the go to lefty out of the pen for manager Charlie Manuel. 

Being a left handed reliever, JC obviously is most frequently brought in to get lefties out, but he is more than capable of getting righties as well.  Romero features a fastball and slider as his go to pitches and will use them in any count.  He is a very emotional player and brings a great deal of energy and focus to the pen.

JC was only called on to get one out in division series and was able to do just that.  In the NLCS against the Dodgers, JC made three appearances, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings, while giving up no hits, walking three and striking out three.

Look for JC to play a big part in the World Series against Tampa Bay.  These games should all be close and Romero will be looked to to get big outs in the sixth, seventh, and possibly even eighth innings. 

Although he is joined by Scott Eyre as another lefty out of the pen, JC is still Charlie’s go-to lefty when the game is close. Late in the game, look for him to be called on to get any one of a number of tough left handed Rays’ hitters out, including Cliff Floyd or any of the other power-hitters in the Rays’ lineup.

Ryan Madson 

The so called “Bridge to Lidge” or “Mad Dog,”  has had a very interesting career in Philadelphia. 

A few years back the Phillies' brain trust tried to make Ryan a starter, and the experiment failed miserably.  After a couple of years bouncing around the pen, sometimes as a long reliever, sometimes as a seventh inning guy, Madson has really excelled recently. 

When Tom Gordon was shut down for the season, Madson grew into the role of setup man for Brad Lidge. After correcting a flaw in his mechanics, Madson is now consistently throwing upwards of 95 mph, with a terrific changeup.

In the playoffs thus far, Madson has been huge for the Phillies. Against Milwaukee, Madson pitched in three games, for a total of four innings, giving up three hits, and one earned run, while striking out two, and getting some huge outs in crucial spots. 

In the NLCS, Madson stepped up even further.  Before the series, a lot of the talk was on the pressure Ryan would face against Manny Ramirez and other Dodger hitters late in the games.  “The Bridge to Lidge” lived up to his new moniker in the NLCS and was a huge part of the Phillies being able to take down the Dodgers in five. 

In the NLCS, his stats were four appearances, one win, four innings, four hits, four strikeouts, one walk, and no earned runs.  Madson’s win came during the dramatic Game Four of the series when the Phillies were able to come back from a 5-3 deficit in the top of the 8^thbefore Madson took care of the Dodgers in the bottom of the frame.

“The Bridge to Lidge” will have to live up to his nickname if the Phillies want to win the World Series.  As the go to guy in the eighth inning, Madson will have to continue to showcase his mid 90’s fastball and devastating changeup to pave the way for the Phillies closer. 

Tampa Bay has a ton of young aggressive hitters, that, although did not hit for much power during the regular season, have really turned it up in the playoffs.  Ryan must get big outs in big situations and hold leads for the Phillies to have success against the Rays.

Brad Lidge

“Lights Out.”  The closer for the Philadelphia Phillies and unquestionable leader of the best bullpen in the NL.  Lidge has had a truly remarkable season converting on all 41 of his save opportunities during the regular season and continuing his streak of perfection through the NLDS and NLCS. 

Lidge was thought to be done after last season in Houston, and the Phillies got a gift from former GM Ed Wade when he decided to trade Lidge to Philly for CF Michael Bourn, RHP Geoff Geary, and 3B prospect Mike Costanzo. 

Lidge has completely turned around his career since arriving in Philadelphia, however, and has led this team and this pen to the World Series.  Mixing a low to mid 90’s fastball, with a devastating slider, Lidge has baffled hitters and shut down opposing offenses all season.

In the playoffs, Lidge has continued to be the most important part of the Phillies' bullpen and arguably of the entire team.  Although he has walked the tight rope in a couple of instances, most memorably in Game One of the NLDS against Milwaukee, Lidge has gotten the job done each time he has been called upon. Including in Game Four of the NLCS, when, for the first time all season, Lidge was asked to get four outs against the Dodgers and he did just that. 

In the NLDS, he pitched in three games, recording two saves, while giving up one run, striking out four and walking one.  In the NLCS, Lidge pitched in four games, recording three saves, while giving up two hits and no runs.  He struck out six and walked two.

“Lights Out” will have to continue to be just that if the Phillies are going to win the 2008 World Series.  The Phillies are undefeated this season when leading after eight innings and this streak must continue in order for the Phillies to win the Fall Classic.

Lidge must forget the memory of the infamous Albert Pujols homer over a few seasons past and continue to pitch with the energy and determination that he has pitched with all season. 

The Rays have a lot of good bats, but many of their players are very young, and hopefully Lidge’s experience mixed with his slider can keep them jumpy and off balance.  Philadelphia fans still have nightmares about the end of their last World Series appearance in 1993, and if Brad Lidge can pitch the way he has all season, Mitch Williams will be off the hook for good, and the streets of Philadelphia will throw a party that has never been seen before.