Don't Bite the Hand that Feeds You Charlie

I don't understand one thing in baseball - does there have to be a designated "closer"? Why can't you go with the hot hand. Brett Myers pitched 6 pitches on Friday night, and like always, good ol' Charlie handed the ball over the the closer of the week, Ryan Madson. Luckily, Madson eventually took care of business. Charlie Manuel has never been a fan of a pitcher coming in the 8th inning and closing out the game the next inning. Why not? Jonathan Papelbon does it all the time. Mariano Rivera very frequently comes in and finishes the 8th and shuts the door in the 9th. Why can't Myers? Madson? Brad Lidge just looks scared to death now when he comes in and looks as if to say, "You want me to do what?"


Instead of killing the confidence of Lidge and seemingly now Madson, build the confidence of those who have the hot hand. Brett Myers has had it of late, and even last year, if JC Romero or Madson had a quick, hot hand in the 8th, they never were given the chance to shut the door.


Charlie, ride the hot hand as long as you can because it seems as if you are going to need a wide variety of choices this postseason.

Lidge's Lights Are Definately Out!

I think the time has come for Charlie to stop paying the electrical bill becauase every time Brad Lidge is on the mound, the lights are definately not out because the other hitters are seeing everything very clearly. Reversely, Brad isnt seeing anything. He misses the strike zone, wild pitches are flying like crazy, and people are getting hit like bugs in your headlights on a humid summer night.

I think the theory now needs to be use Brad Lidge "as a closer in a starter's rotation." What I mean by that is use Brad Lidge every 5th day, whether he needs it or not, as a closer. He needs that mental rest and time to reflect. Stop using blisters as an excuse. I have been a pitcher in that scenario before. The end of a game is tough mentally and probably after "perfection" last year, it is a huge deal to come back and expect the same, if not better.

I respect Lidge tremendously the way he handled his exit last night. He didn't rant and rave, argue with Charlie for taking him out, nor did he throw is glove in disgust when entering the dugout. Moreover, he came out to the field to congratulate Ryan Madson on closing the deal on the Nats.

Take a break Brad, you have unfortunately earned a little vacation and get read for the postseason, whatever role you may be needed as.