When does Charlie consider taking Lidge out of the closer’s role? And, if he does, to whom does he turn?
Cimorelli’s Question of the Day
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It’s time to start thinking about this. One the one hand, with a 7-game lead in the division, the team can afford to let Lidge work through these troubles, even if it costs them a game here and there. On the other hand, if there is going to be someone else closing come October, that guy needs time to adjust to the role and prove he can handle it. Lidge has been flat-out bad this year, but he’s still the only guy on the roster that’s been a dominant closer and closed for a championship team just a year ago. I think you give him one more week or so, and if there’s no improvement, you go to Madson. Maybe Myers, but we’ll need to see what he has in a set-up role before we have him closing.
Personally, I’m hoping for Myers’ return to be the shot-in-the-arm the bullpen needs. But, maybe it’s just as simple as NOT PITCHING THIS GUY FOUR NIGHTS IN A ROW. Apparently, Mariano Rivera hasn’t pitched four nights in a row in FIVE YEARS. And, get this stat from the great Jayson Stark:
Lidge, after pitching the night before:
2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 25% of appearances where he allowed at least one earned run
Lidge, with at least one day rest:
9.95 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, 44% of appearances where he allowed at least one earned run
And, with all the off days in the postseason, there may not be THAT many times that you have to pitch him in consecutive days, but it’s still troubling