The Prognosis for Brad Lidge

First it was Brett Myers saying he was getting stronger and stronger, and then a week later saying his hip had made it unpitchable. Now we have Brad Lidge, who has been insisting for weeks that his knee is fine, being forced on to the DL by management. Is everyone in denial?

But even if Lidge is judged physically sound, whether he can regain the aura of invincibility he established last season remains to be seen. It is difficult to duplicate perfection. But there's no reason why he can't be a very effective closer this season in spite of a very slow start and the two excruciating failed saves against the Dodgers over the weekend. He had in fact been pitching much better in the weeks prior to the setbacks on the West Coast.

However, Lidge may have to make an adjustment. As a number of observers, including the right-hander himself, have acknowledged, batters are taking a more patient approach with him, knowing the majority of his strike-out pitches are out of the strike zone. And not just marginally out of the strike zone but miles out of the strike zone. Last year, it was not uncommon for hitters to swing out Lidge sliders that bounced in front of home plate. By contrast, closers like Mariano Rivera, perhaps the greatest of them all, also depend on off-the-plate sliders, but ones that are much closer to the strike zone, so a hitter cannot be so discerning.

It dawned on hitters that the percentages were with them to take the pitch if it looked anything like a hard slider. Then if they worked the count in their favor, they could sit on a fast ball or work a base on balls. Although Lidge throws 94-95 mph heat, it's still hittable, particularly if it's not on the corners.

So Lidge has to be able to pinpoint his fastball consistently and he has to throw his slider closer to the plate more frequently. He may also have to experiment with a different mix of pitches so as to become less predictable. And most importantly, he has to beat back the demons of self doubt which is why Charlie Manuel knows he has to stick with him as long as he possibly can.
Yes a healthy knee should play a part in all of this, but just a part.

The hitters need to do their part as well. In the two losses in Los Angeles, the Phillies had numerous opportunities to tack on additional runs but came up empty. In spite of their potent offense, this was a common occurrence last year as well - squandering opportunities with men in scoring position. A few insurance runs are a reliever's best friend.