How about the Yankees? With a record of 11 wins against just four losses this postseason, they really were the true champions, outplaying their opponents for the duration of the playoffs. They never faced elimination and trailed only one of the three series they played – the World Series, after Game 1. As always, expectations in the Bronx will be very high in 2010.
Brad Lidge
6 November 2009
Series, when he retired the Phillies in order to preserve the Yankee victory after his counterpart, Brad Lidge, surrendered three runs in the top of the ninth and took the loss.
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16 July 2008
In the process, Clint Hurdle had Phillies closer Brad Lidge warming up six different times before he finally came in and gave up the game on Michael Young’s sacrifice fly.
The NL used 11 pitchers and the AL 12, meaning that if the game had continued much longer, Selig might still have had to face the tough set of choices outlined above. As it was, the game taxed pitchers like Brandon Webb (who had pitched seven innings and 108 pitches two days before), George Sherrill (the Orioles’ closer, who pitched two and a third innings), and Scott Kazmir (who had also pitched on Sunday, logging six innings and 104 pitches). Webb and Kazmir weren’t supposed to appear at all, with Tampa manager Joe Maddon specifically requesting that Kaz rest his arm, and we have yet to see what the effects might be on them, or guys like Carlos Marmol, who threw an inning in spite of recent struggles and a strong need for rest.
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27 March 2008
ching in season if they expect to redeem their collapse of last year.
Philadelphia Phillies
Can Brad Lidge nail down the closer’s role?
The first thing is getting Lidge healthy. He had offseason surgery on his knee but looks to be back in the bullpen early in April. His struggles since giving up that monstrous home run to Albert Pujols in the playoffs has been well documented and he even lost his job as the closer with the Astros last season. He did regain the role in June and went on to rack up all 19 of the saves he had last season after the All-Star break. With Lidge in the closers role, the Phillies bullpen stacks up fairly well led by Tom Gordon in the setup role. Gordon is an excellent second option to close games however that greatly affects the bullpen depth unless Philadelphia wants to return Brett Myers to closer, but that leaves a gaping hole in the starting rotation.
Continue reading "MLB 2008 Season Preview: National League East"
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