Phillies Nation

40 Responses to “Lidge Was Unavailable”

1. Manny Says:
   September 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 am

   Big game for Cole, potentially the last of the regular season for him… He better give us his best

2. Jack Says:
   September 23rd, 2008 at 11:52 am

   I don’t think Lidge hardly ever does it perfectly either. The closer role is such an overrated position in my eyes. I guess i’d have a tough time telling that to a Mets fan right now but still.

   We’re pulling from a small sample size (Madson closing games) where what….half the games he’s closed have been scary. Mind you outta Lidge’s 40 saves, I’m sure I sweat through at LEAST 20 of them.

   It’s all personal perspective.

3. Richie Says:
   September 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm

   The problem is that you need to be able to overpower and get strikeouts as a closer. That is why Lidge is perfect, at any point in time he can strike out the side, the problem is that sometimes he may do it after walking the first three batters in a one-run game.

4. Georgie Says:
   September 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm

   ok, I’m ready to buy a ticket for Saturday’s game, looking at sec 130, or behind Phillies dugout,never been to CBP, can you see into the Phils dugout from seats above the visitors dugout? Any recommendations? The seats are expensive but I’m going to treat myself, ha, you can’t take it with you, right?

5. Jack Says:
   September 23rd, 2008 at 12:10 pm

   how are you getting a ticket that good, this late? ebay?

6. rk Says:
   September 23rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm

   Georgie,
   That game is Sold Out. Friday there are Stadning Room only tickets available. You will pay a mint for tickets in that section.

7. KM Says:
   September 23rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm

   It would be ideal to only throw him once or twice more before the playoffs. Hopefully we can take care of business and wrap up this division early to give our bullpen a chance to rest and let the young guys who aren’t going to see the playoff roster get a shot.

8. Matt Says:
   September 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 pm

   Just looking ahead, but Friday and Saturday look to be pretty bad from a weather perspective. What we don’t need is a rainout and then a doubleheader on Sunday to complicate the pitching situation.

9. Whisky Priest Says:
   September 23rd, 2008 at 12:45 pm

   There seem to be a lot of great tickets on Craigslist.

10. Karch Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 12:55 pm

    This is completely irrelevant and not on-topic, but I just wanted to point out that So Taguchi has not had a hit since July 27 – he was 0-12 in August and is 0-1 in three appearances this month. Wow. Shouldn’t they just cut him loose? He’s obviously behind Bruntlett, Golson, Stairs and Jenkins in the outfield… I doubt he’ll see the field again this year.

11. Matt Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Karch – You’re right, but I don’t see any point in cutting him now. Was Matt Stairs acquired before the Sept 1st deadline, and what about Golson? I’m not even sure if either one of those guys is eligible to take his playoff roster spot.

12. Don M Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 1:09 pm

    Matt Stairs will be, Golson won’t be eligable for the postseason roster…

13. Mike W. Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    Bustery Olney today:

    Brian Cashman (New York): : What should I spend my 80 million dollars on in the not so distant off-season?

    Buster Olney: (1:16 PM ET ) Brian: Is that how much the Phillies have to spend this off-season/

14. KM Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 1:39 pm

    I’d like Cashman to be here, but it doesn’t matter who is here because they will be hand-cuffed by the organization. We all know that the job basically belongs to Ruben Amaro Jr., I was just surprised he didnt get it before Pat Gillick.

    80 million dollars — haha . . . 80 million extra would leave us well over the 90-100 million that this organization will commit to spend on the team. They will just continue to rake in the revenue of the 3+ million fans that come to the stadium, and the countless fans, myself included, that continue to patronize this team in many different aspects.

15. NJ Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 1:40 pm

    Was that from the ESPN inisider Mike?

    Golson and Marson were brought up the night before the deadline although the roster if I remember rightly was at 24 so it’s a bit unclear who’s eligable. Won’t the best case scenario for Cole be to get run support and get him out there early so he’s not rusty but has a little rest to get ready for the NLDS.

    On the plus side for the arms that ideally could do with a few days rest the Mets look beaten up to the point we can put a couple of game into the hands of the ‘lesser’ relievers without it sabotaging the season.

16. NJ Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 1:45 pm

    If we could prize Cashman the success would hinge on him being able to lure away some of the Yanks executives, seems Cashman likes to spend money but maybe not as freely as some might think and his team have a very strong record in the draft and recruitment in particular.

17. Richie Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 pm

    As long as the player is on the 40 man roster before September starts he is eligible fopr the postseason. Golson is, but a guy like Iguchi would not be.

18. Georgie Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 2:01 pm

    There are still tickets available on places like stubhub.com, but they are going fast and prices went up from yesterday, it looks like. It was about $100 or so for what look like pretty good seats (infield). I checked weather forecast, there is a low pressure system forming which is likely to bring rain Fri, maybe Sat. What happens then? Triple header Sun? lol!

19. Matt Kwasiborski Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 2:02 pm

    I ripped Madson before on this website and since then he has pitched lights out since. Seems to me someone gave him a shot of confidence Total team effort by the team last night and we are rolling right NOW.

    Watching the Mets collapse again is priceless. Let’s hope they don’t make it.

20. lilgartrn Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 2:10 pm

    I think it’s helpful for the bullpen to get some adequate rest – 6 weeks ago, those guys looked like their arms were ready to fall off. It’s nice to see everyone contribute, especially Madson, who is like lightning when he’s on…

21. Mike W. Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    Another interesting note: Olney said Howard and Fielder will both be on the trade market this off season. Kinda pissed me off to hear it.

22. Griffin Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    I just heard an interview with Bob Brenly (the Cubs announcer) on WFAN and he was asked who the Cubs don’t want to face in the postseason and he said without hesitation “the Phillies”.

23. Matt Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 2:26 pm

    I think the Phils will find a way to keep Howard and the current core of Phillies.

    While everyone on here rips the ownership, I think they’ve demonstrated over the years that if the revenue is there, so will the payroll. They always set the payroll as a % of revenue, and will all these sellouts, I expect the payroll to increase proportionally.

24. Greg B Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 2:27 pm

    Dammit. The Mets aren’t collapsing. The Phils are 21-9 in the last 30. We are TAKING the division. F ESPN and SI. Those knuckle heads.

25. Griffin Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    I don’t mind the Mets collapse talk, it puts more pressure on the Mets players and it shows. They’re as tight as a drum right now and the fans are panicking because of what happened last year.

    But, you’re right. The Phils are 10-1 and are taking their divison…..again.

26. KM Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm

    Matt, The Phillies went from #5 in payroll in 2004 to number #13 today. They made record profits last season, and they went out and signed Geoff Jenkins, So Taguchi, Chad Durbin and Pedro Feliz who were all bargain basement pickups. Their payroll went from 89+ mil last season to 98+ mil this season, and that extra money was all from Ryan Howard’s arbitration settlement. So basically, other than Howard’s pay increase, the Phillies’ payroll was virtually the same, after making record profits the year before.

    Please tell me what makes you believe that the Phillies will increase revenue proportionally? Nothing in the past proves to me that they will do what it takes to keep this team together in the long-run, or make the team better through free agency signings. If anything, I expect the payroll to decrease, because they will lose Burrell’s 14+ mil contract and replace him with a much cheaper player, and they wont have to give Howard as big of a raise as he got this season. I expect the Phillies to go from 98+ mil this season to around 95+ mil next season. They could not justify it to the fans if they went any lower, or they would do it.

27. Rory Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm

    Lidge has been such a beast this year. The Phillies are what, 51-0 when leading after 8 innings? Thats UNGODLY! I think the Phils have a great shot, should they play the Dodgers in the first round.

    Cole has to pitch a huge game tonight. 7+, 0 earned, 7+ Ks

28. Durbinator Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    I don’t think Golson can be on the post season roster since he wasn’t on the 25 man roster before Sept. 1st The only way he could get on is if somebody was injured.

    How about a So Taguchi phantom injury?

29. Rory Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Great article at bleacherreport.com on Lidge’s success this year:

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/60332-come-to-think-of-itbrad-lidges-perfect-penmanship-gives-phillies-an-edge

    Check it out, and e-mail me at rory@bleacherreport.com if youd be interested in writing for us! Go PHILS!

30. Durbinator Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 3:10 pm

    Golson could take Jenkins spot since he was on the DL at the time. But Stairs could also take that spot. It should be interesting to see what happens.

31. Durbinator Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    Or Stairs could replace Taguchi and Golson could replace Jenkins. That works for me.

32. Gabriel Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    sadly, you may be right KM… i cannot fathom how the FO can’t see how close we are to being a dominant team in near foreseeable future… we have a chance THIS year to make a run at the series… assuming the logical choice that nobody this side of venus can beat the angels, all we really need is a stud pitcher and maybe a serviceable everyday catcher, so spend a few dollars – max out at 130 mil and we have a really, really good shot at it next year

33. OZ Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    i think Bill Giles snuck up behind Matt, clubbed him with a monkey wrench, and blogged under his name.

34. J-Man Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 4:11 pm

    I knew Lidge wouldn’t be available last night because he did throw too many pitches on Saturday and Sunday…I hope Cole can bring his A game tonight and give us a solid 7 or 8 innings so we can give the bullpen a night off and hopefully score enough runs to give Lidge another night off.

35. Gabriel Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    what i really want to see tonight is something i haven’t seen all year with colbert…
    give the freakin guy some run support!
    3.10 ERA and he’s 14-9??????????????
    yes – lets give lidge the night off, lets give JC and the Durbinator the night off too! i want to be up 13 to 2 to start the 8th and let adam ‘the 8 million dollar man’ eaton mop up the rest of the game!

36. Richie Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    The Phils are 75-0 when leading after 8 by the way!!

37. Eb Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    Gabriel….We should qaulify that as a save situation for Eaton, and you know he will screw it up.

38. Eb Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    I also enjoy how the Phillies are sending a message to Eaton, by not playing him what so ever.

    When was the last timew he pitched? Was it the Atlanta game that had the 2 hour rain delay. It was Blanton’s 3rd start I think??

39. Griffin Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    I’d love for a huge lead and Eaton to mop up tonight. Rest the bullpen and pitch slop like him to soak up some innings. Jo Jo Reyes is a slop righty, we should CREAM him tonight.

40. Gabriel Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 5:07 pm

    HAHAH save situation for eaton – golden
    i was actually at that game (i love the sunday pack) and i’m not certain but i think they put him in a righty-righty situation sometime after that but you’ve certainly made your point of them not letting him get near the mound unless he is cupping JA’s balls or throwing BP (and telling him it’s a game situation)

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