Lidge Closes, Lidge Loses

“Closer” is very close to “Loser”. Especially when the Closer is Brad Lidge. Entering the game Wednesday evening, Lidge had just a 1-run cushion. As he has done a major league leading 11 times this season, Lidge blew the save and eventually took the loss. His line stands at an utterly unimpressive 0 wins, 8 losses, and an ERA of 7.48. He is one of only two ML pitchers to record 8 losses this season without starting a game. The other, Matt Capp, plays for a team with 94 losses. The Phillies have just 63. What’s more, Lidge’s 0 wins vs. 8 losses means he is the only pitcher with at least seven decisions to fail to win a game. Finally, his ERA is nearly twice that of his team’s overall (4.07).

A previous column here contained a month-by-month look at Lidge’s performance. To continue that trend, Lidge finished up August with a 70% conversion rate (7/10 saves converted), giving him his second most saves in a month and most in consecutive months (with 13 between July and August). His ERA dropped a tad to 6.75, the WHIP came down to 1.50, and his BAA was a borderline respectable .279. All in all, the July-August stretch was Lidge’s finest hour on the season, seeing Lidge lock down 13 of 16 save opportunities. He struck out 22 in 21.2 innings, posted a 6.33 ERA, and opponents batted right at .250. The fact is that if Lidge were good for those unimpressive numbers going forward, a far cry from what they were last season, the Phillies would have to feel decent (not great) about their prospects in the playoffs.

The problem is that Lidge is nowhere near that player right now. Another atrocious outing Wednesday evening saw Lidge throw away a lead and eventually lose the game. He allowed four baserunners and recorded just two outs. His conversion rate slipped to 4/6 (67%) in September, the ERA has skyrocketed to 10.80, his WHIP is a ridiculous 2.85, and opposing hitters have batted .394 against him. Those numbers simply cannot get it done in the playoffs. Teams must salivate when they see Lidge enter the game. All this bodes quite ill for the Phillies, who wasted a six-run performance and a respectable start from Hamels (4 ER in 7 IP), and failed to close in on the division championship.

Howard Homers Twice, Joins Select Company

Howard Homers Twice, Joins Select Company

In his illustrious, Hall of Fame career, Mike Schmidt hit 548 home runs, which is likely more than Ryan Howard will ever hit. Schmidt never, however, hit 40 home runs in three consecutive seasons. In fact, he did it only three times in his career. Schmidt did drive in 100 or more runs nine times, but reached 120 just once (in his stellar MVP season of 1980, when for nearly two seasons, Schmidt was the best offensive player in the game).

Another Philadelphia great, Chuck Klein, also failed to top 40 home runs in three consecutive seasons (and hit 40 only twice, in 1929 and 1930). He drove in 100 runs for the Phillies five times, in consecutive seasons, and actually drove in at least 120 each time.

With his second home run tonight against the Braves, Howard’s totals for the season stand at 40 home runs and 121 RBI. In each of the past four seasons, Howard has hit at least 40 home runs and has driven in at least 120 runs. In other words, he has accomplished a feat of consistent power the likes of which no other Phillies’ player has accomplished. Four straight 40/120 seasons. For further perspective, consider that among the 25 members of the 500 Home Run Club, only two have matched the feat (Ken Griffey, Jr. and Sammy Sosa). And only Babe Ruth (7 times) has surpassed the feat.

No Chemistry in Cleveland

No Chemistry in Cleveland

In a recent article in the Akron Beacon Journal, Marla Ridenour wrote that Braylon Edwards, WR for the Cleveland Browns, has “no chemistry” with Brady Quinn and “doesn’t seem suited” for the West Coast brand of offense Quinn best lends himself to. It is difficult to take either claim seriously given the paucity of evidence offered in support.

Edwards caught just one pass for twelve yards in the first game of the season.

It is true that Ridenour countenances the facts that Edwards was thrown to three other times. On one pass, Edwards broke in while the pass went out toward the sideline. The result was an interception. A second pass was overthrown. A third was initially ruled a touchdown. Review showed that Edwards had not established his feet in bounds (a defensive pass interference penalty was assessed).

Fans simply should not be concerned at this point. Had Edwards made the catch, his 2 reception, 46 yards, and a TD would not have looked too shabby. Factor in his performance in other games with Quinn at the helm and Edwards and Quinn have had some degree of success. While Edwards grabbed just one ball (for fifteen yards) in Quinn’s debut last season, he came back the next with 8 grabs (tying a career high) for 104 yards. In the next game, Quinn hooked up with Edwards 4 times for 75 yards before Quinn left the game due to injury. So in four games with Quinn, Edwards has caught 14 passes for 206 yards. That is an average of 3.5 grabs and 51.5 yards per game. Last season, Edwards averaged 3.4 receptions, 54.6 yards per game, and scored three TDs.

In short, it is far from clear that Edwards would be posting more impressive numbers with anyone else at the helm. And the question of production is really at the heart of claims about “chemistry”. Quinn at QB is not the issue. The offense simply lacks the explosiveness it had two seasons ago, when Cleveland averaged 351 yards and 25 points per game. Edwards is still the team’s home run threat in the receiving game and should see ample opportunities in the near future.