Is Brad Lidge Good Again?
As you may or may not know, I made a solemn promise to myself to not post until Brad Lidge had started sucking again, and all was again right with the world. And now I have not posted for a month. So the question remains: Is Brad Lidge really good again?
Until the mid-way point of this season, Brad Lidge was still making a habit out of blowing saves left and right. The demands were strong in Philadelphia for set-up man Ryan Madson to be promoted to closer. However, Manager Charlie Manuel refused to consider this move. Then Lidge seemed to revert back to his 2008 lights out self. He performed very well in his save opportunities throughout the month of August. And even though he will probably never again reach the greatness of 2008, it does appear Lidge has worked past his issues, and is back to being a solid closer.
In 2009, Lidge’s walk rate was 5.22 BB/9, a career high. His 1.69 HR/9 rate was yet another career high.
But now, Lidge’s strikeout and walk rates in 2010 are almost identical to his 2008 numbers:
2008 Lidge: 11.94 K/9, 4.54 BB/9
2010 Lidge: 11.12 K/9, 4.45 BB/9
But has Lidge actually turned the corner? In August, Lidge has returned to pounding the strike zone and getting batters to chase balls. Lidge does not have the velocity he used to, and his slider simply isn’t the same, his improved command has made up for it.
Will it last for the remainder of his career? Quite frankly, I think I smiled a lot more when he made an art out of choking.
Quite frankly, I think I smiled a lot more when he made an art out of choking.- This quote made my day
Lidge’s odds of keeping this up for the rest of the season are about the same as Sarah Palin voting for Obama in 2012
I can’t imagine how many more wins the Phillies would have if Lidge wasn’t their closer.
So long as Lidge is able to get the slider across the plate he’ll be okay. My biggest worry is the slider being too wild so that batters simply don’t swing thereby drawing walks.