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Lidge escapes by the hair on his chinny-chin chin

Written by Mike Mariano | 27 July 2010

Brad Lidge has a specifc plan in mind when he takes the mound.  Step one, get the first guy out.  Step two, load the bases.  Step three, work from there.  And some how in 2010, that hasn't blown up in his face... yet.  Hitters are 0-4 in four plate appearances when hitting against Lidge with the bases loaded.  In any other scenario, hitters fare significantly better, if not significantly well against Lights Out Lidge.  Just look at this mess of a table.

Split PA AB R H 2B 3B HR SB BB SO BA OBP SLG GDP HBP SH SF IBB
RISP 40 33 11 10 2 0 3 1 6 8 .303 .410 .636 1 0 1 0 3
--- 42 36 1 7 3 0 1 0 6 13 .194 .310 .361 0 0 0 0 0
Men On 48 40 11 12 2 0 3 3 7 12 .300 .404 .575 1 0 1 0 3
1-- 8 7 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 4 .286 .375 .286 0 0 0 0 0
-2- 18 16 6 6 1 0 2 0 1 2 .375 .412 .813 0 0 1 0 0
--3 6 4 2 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 .500 .667 .750 0 0 0 0 1
12- 5 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .250 .400 .250 1 0 0 0 0
1-3 4 4 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 .250 .250 1.000 0 0 0 0 0
-23 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 .000 .667 .000 0 0 0 0 2
123 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0
on 1st, lt 2 out 8 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 .000 .125 .000 1 0 0 0 0
on 3rd, lt 2 out 5 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 .333 .600 .333 0 0 0 0 1
on 3rd, 2 out 12 10 4 2 1 0 1 0 2 2 .200 .333 .600 0 0 0 0 2
Generated 7/27/2010.

It's pretty simple, as long as Lidge can successfully load the bases without relinquishing the lead in the meantime, we're good.  Otherwise, once a guy reaches base, shit's about to hit the fan.  Look at the OBP and SLG percentages in that table.  If you're up against Lidge with any runners on (without the bases being loaded of course) take a hack!  Chances are you're going to do some damage.  Also, you have to consider that the percentages for a runner on first and for runners on first and second are so low because everyone bunts in those scenarios to better your chances of getting a run.  The table would look even worse than it does now because he's a closer and you're so often playing for only a run or two.

The longstanding stance in Philly has been "I don't care what it looks like, just get the job done" and I've never seen a pitcher take that to heart like Lidge does.  In 2008, when Lidge was perfect, he epitomized that mantra.  He pitched with men all over the base paths, but somehow some way escaped unscathed.  In 2009, when Lidge couldn't get anyone out, he basically just blew saves at every opportunity.  Now, in 2010 he's somewhere in between.  Never a dull moment when Ol' 51 takes the mound.

So how 'bout them Phils?  Lidge is getting saves, the offense is scratching runs, the team is winning games.  Five in a row now and a four-game sweep to boot.  Instead of pissing games away, they're finding ways to win, sometimes even getting lucky.  Joe Blanton came out and pitched a hell of a game after a shaky first inning and the bullpen has been strong as of late.  4.5 games back and charging by the day, the Phillies are finally playing baseball.

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