Categories: Posts

Retaining Confidence In Lidge

In his post-game press conference, Cole Hamels told the press he wanted to go eight and felt good handing the ball to closer Brad Lidge:

“No, the last time I did that I gave up a two-run home run to Fielder. (Laughter). No, I have all the confidence in the world in Lidge. I knew it was something where I knew if I could get through the 8th, I knew Lidge could seal the deal. That’s something where I wanted to get him a save and I know he wanted to get me a win, and we were able to do that.”

I still think — with just 101 pitches — Hamels should’ve at least started the ninth, and if he got into trouble, Lidge was ready to go. That’s why he’s your ace. He had a pretty easy eighth inning; why not use him the whole way if you can? Yes, Charlie Manuel has stuck to his guns all year, and Lidge was 41-for-41 in the regular season. But Lidge hasn’t had a real easy save in a while, and at some point you have to think Lidge will … well, you know.

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.