Billy Wagner went on the disabled list, retroactive to August 3, and since then, the Mets’ bullpen has had a well-documented, topsy-turvey ride. While he was never officially placed on the disabled list, Brad Lidge hasn’t seen action since August 8, thus causing the Phillies’ pen to spin a bit out of control.
The Phillies were fine for the first two Lidge-less games, with Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson picking up saves, but since then, the Dodgers swept them in a 4-game series full of close games. While the Phillies claim Lidge has been available to close since Monday, it’s odd that he didn’t see action in the entire series.
While the Phillies didn’t lead on Monday or Thursday, the team took a 3-2 lead into the eighth on Tuesday only for Durbin to blow the lead in the 8th and J.C. Romero to allow the winning run in the ninth. On Wednesday, the Phillies had a 6-4 lead in the eighth that the combined forces of Durbin, Romero, and Clay Condrey turned into a 7-6 Dodgers win.
With Lidge’s recent injury and Tom Gordon out for the season, chances are, the Phillies’ relievers are getting as overtaxed as the Mets’ hurlers are. With the Phillies having a more consistent bullpen overall this season, this hiccup is welcome to further the Mets’ playoff chances.
For a last little bit of irony, it seems that Lidge has become a victim of the extra-inning All-Star Game. MLB.com shows that Lidge and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel are blaming the countless warm-ups Lidge had to toss at the All-Star Game for at least further-injuring him. Will there soon be a time when World Series managers turn down the “privilege” of managing the All-Star Game to avoid the headaches?
