Mr Perfect...ahem...Ex-Mr. Perfect ;p
On the eve of a series with the rival the Phillies placed struggling closer Brad Lidge on the 15-day disabled list.
A year after converting all 41 save opportunities, Lidge is 0-3 with a 7.27 ERA and has blown six of his 19 save chances for the first-place Phillies. Lidge was placed on the DL retroactive to June 7 with a sprained right knee. That sounds like the same injury that plagues .
Philadelphia called up reserve catcher Paul Bakoto take Lidge’s place on the 25-man roster. Bako is expected to be in uniform for the start of tonight’s three-game series at Citi Field.
Ha! Lets see how they like being without their closer. Granted its not during a stretch run but this should be interesting. Boy ollie and lidge in the same sentence is disturbing if i was a philli fan lol.
64 comments
mrose
6/9/2009-3:10pm at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
lights out…
lidge
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-3:22pm at 3:22 pm (UTC -4)
I like yours better, it’s more subtle. When I first heard about Lidge going on the DL, my first thought was “Ding Dong The Lidge Is Dead.”
QnsNative718
6/9/2009-3:27pm at 3:27 pm (UTC -4)
Well played, sir. Well played.
metsfan4decades
6/9/2009-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
LOL !
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-3:12pm at 3:12 pm (UTC -4)
I almost look at it as a merciful act by Phillies’ management to Lidge. It is documented that he went into an emotional funk from which it took him years to recover when he got smoked by Pujols in the 2005 NLCS and then stunk in the WS right after that. Had the Mets come from behind in a big way against him this week, it might have sent him into another shame spiral.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/9/2009-3:15pm at 3:15 pm (UTC -4)
Is Bako going to close the game?
QnsNative718
6/9/2009-3:27pm at 3:27 pm (UTC -4)
Romero? Oh wait…
QnsNative718
6/9/2009-3:29pm at 3:29 pm (UTC -4)
Well whatyaknow..50 games have passed.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/9/2009-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
That’s right! Romero Streo… id…
fongy2
6/9/2009-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
Doubtful.
smooth
6/9/2009-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
It could realistically be a month before they get him back, this is a big hit to their pen. It will be interesting to see how ryan madsen responds to the challenge. The 9th inning is a different monster than the 8th. Counting a johan win tonight, if pelf pitches well tomorrow, we have a chance at a sweep with redding. Redding handled the phillies quite well last season
mrose
6/9/2009-3:19pm at 3:19 pm (UTC -4)
yea… As much as I’d love the mets to beat up Lidge… I’d rather a long term hit to the pen
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-3:21pm at 3:21 pm (UTC -4)
I hope Smooth’s scenario plays out, I’d hate for this to be the latest version of “A Closer Is Born” with Madson stepping seamlessly into the role. They just got J. Cheat Romero back too, so the blow is lessened at least in theory.
smooth
6/9/2009-3:28pm at 3:28 pm (UTC -4)
Well when you consider how terrible Lidge has been this season, it will be hard for Madson to perform any worse. Its more about the guy who will step in the 8th inning role i guess, however I would consider Madson more hittable than a “good” Lidge. Fact is other teams have more conifendce against you in the late innings when they know you dont have a closer, we saw this happen late last season against us.
Joe R
6/9/2009-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
I wish it was as easy as Smooth makes it seem…lol…Lets win with Johan first which is not a given if it was he would have like
11-12 wins by now.
dirtysanchez
6/9/2009-3:42pm at 3:42 pm (UTC -4)
good point joe. Nothings a given…
Remember we are playing with a B class lineup against the phills offense which is at full strength. This is going to be tough…JS better be on his game.
fongy2
6/9/2009-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for some realism
here Dirty! For Gods
sake stop with the projections! We just
were swept by the Pirates of all teams.
Its a cliche no doubt
But lets take this a game at a time.
dirtysanchez
6/9/2009-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
agreed… nothing is a given right now. Each win most likely will come well earned imo. Also in JS starts we commit the most errors so that is something to look at in this game
Joe R
6/9/2009-3:51pm at 3:51 pm (UTC -4)
Haha….lets not even watch the game..better yet lets just call MLB and tell them you might as well add 3 wins in the standings for the Mets and 3 losses for the Phils because Johan is pitching and then we have Pelf who is like Nolan Ryan and then Redding who is Pedro from 98!
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/9/2009-3:58pm at 3:58 pm (UTC -4)
That’s Awesome! Who wants to make the call? I’m at work, so I can’t…..
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-3:54pm at 3:54 pm (UTC -4)
Somehow “take this one game at a time”
and
“The Phils aren’t going away”
don’t jive to me because saying the Phils aren’t going away can’t possibly be taking it one game at a time. Let’s stop with the projections.
Joe R
6/9/2009-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
Exactly I mean lets not just expect Johan to throw a complete game shutout. Realistically with that offense I will take a quality start from Johan giving up 3 runs in hopefully 7 complete. That would be great in my book. Then can our offense score 4? IDK…I sure hope so…I really want Johan to get his 8th win…and tie Marquis lol…Did I just type Marquis and 8 wins lol Jeez!For some reason I get extra nervous and cant stand when Johan pitches great and doesnt get the win. It bothers me to no end! I mean..we all know how good he is and other ppl obviously know how good he is but its nice to actually see the stats. Like Johan has a lower era but Holladay has 10 wins. That bothers me lol
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
I am having trouble with baseball-reference.com right now so I don’t have the splits in front of me to confirm/back it up, but IIRC the Mets offense fares much better against LH pitchers and the Phils are throwing 3 of them in a row. It will be interesting to see how that plays out against the Phils excellent road record.
Joe R
6/9/2009-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
Is Miguel Tejeda really leading the league in hitting?? I thought this guy fell off big time?
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
He is, he and at least 6 other guys should be ahead of Jimmy Rollins in the All-Star SS voting.
Joe R
6/9/2009-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed…but wasnt he washed up at this point? Oh I think his power numbers are down if Im correct.
fongy2
6/9/2009-4:01pm at 4:01 pm (UTC -4)
I think the
steriod and lying about
his age stories
of the last yr
haven’t been
helpful to Tejada in a
popularity contest.
And Heb,stating
The Phils aren’t going
away b/c they’ve shown
what type of team they are
already is ALOT
different then
US taking this
a gm at a time.
Especially since we’ve shown almost
none of the heart the Phils
have the last couple yrs..
Plus,I wasn’t talkin”bout
them but US!
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-4:18pm at 4:18 pm (UTC -4)
Well if we’re applying different rules to discussing the two teams then count me out because I can’t keep up with the floating dynamic of the conversation.
sabermetrician
6/9/2009-4:02pm at 4:02 pm (UTC -4)
He’s still hitting a ton of doubles. I’d take him while Reyes is down if we could. But I really hate him though.
fongy2
6/9/2009-4:04pm at 4:04 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed
But we wont.
Too much
money.
Thanks,
Bernie
Madoff!
There's Always '09
6/9/2009-4:07pm at 4:07 pm (UTC -4)
Only the Mets. In a year when revenues should be growing exponentially and $$$ not being any kind of object…enter Bernie Madoff. Only the Mets.
There's Always '09
6/9/2009-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
Miguel Tejada basically went from an elite shortstop, to the power of Wilson Valdez in a span of 1/2 of a steroid era.
fongy2
6/9/2009-4:07pm at 4:07 pm (UTC -4)
Hence the reason
these steroid freaks
should be kept out of the Hall.It
turned
Good players into AllStars
and Allstars
into
HOFers.
There's Always '09
6/9/2009-4:08pm at 4:08 pm (UTC -4)
And HOFers into All Time Greats:
A-Rod
Bonds
McGuire
???
???
???
fongy2
6/9/2009-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
T-storms are about an hr out of Philly
heading in that direction and will
last until about game time.Then should
be pretty clear for the rest of the night.So maybe a delay gettig started.
sabermetrician
6/9/2009-4:07pm at 4:07 pm (UTC -4)
Wait, why are we watching the weather in Philly so closely? Is it moving from there toward NYC?
There's Always '09
6/9/2009-4:12pm at 4:12 pm (UTC -4)
generally, that’s the direction storm systems will move.
sabermetrician
6/9/2009-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
Unless they’re coming from the lakes…
There's Always '09
6/9/2009-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
Well, these aren’t coming from the lakes. Perhaps Superman can fly into town and blow the system away though.
smooth
6/9/2009-4:09pm at 4:09 pm (UTC -4)
I was just trying to bring some optimism. Theres nothing wrong with expecting a win from our ace tonight vs a pitcher in Happ who wasnt even in the rotation not to long ago. I believe Pelf is going to have a bounceback outing and if he pitches well enough to keep us in the game as he was doing, then it will come down to the bullpens in my opinion, and we have the edge there. Also its not secret that Redding pitched well vs the Phillies last season and we have beat up on Moyer. Also the fact that we hit much better vs lefties and also taking into consideration that Citi Field isnt much of a homerun park, i feel like we have the edge in this series and i believe we have a solid chance of at least taking 2 out of 3.
CaseStreet
6/9/2009-4:13pm at 4:13 pm (UTC -4)
I’m with you smooth. Kick Fille Butt!
sabermetrician
6/9/2009-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
I totally agree Smooth. I think every time Johan takes the mound we, and the team, should have the expectation of victory.
smooth
6/9/2009-4:20pm at 4:20 pm (UTC -4)
Also our lineup isnt at full strenght, but with the return or Cora and Church, i wouldnt consider it a B lineup. The current lineup should have enough offense to at least score 4 runs off Haap tonight. The phillies 3 best hitters are all lefties and johan will neutralize them. Also remember this team rises to the occasion for games vs the phillies, and knowing the gamer that johan is , im sure hes going to mean business out there tonight.
sabermetrician
6/9/2009-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I think we have enough to get this done. We have the better starter and the better pen. Tomorrow and Thursday…we’ll see.
There's Always '09
6/9/2009-4:18pm at 4:18 pm (UTC -4)
It would be nice to get into the bullpen early. A nice dose of Chan Ho. Oh wait, he’s good against us.
mrose
6/9/2009-4:24pm at 4:24 pm (UTC -4)
1 for 2 this year
saltygary
6/9/2009-4:21pm at 4:21 pm (UTC -4)
I want Johan to real back and throw one right in Rollins face. IN THE FACE! and then laugh. It’s time for these guys to get pissed and pull some stuff that was in the movie slapshot.
sabermetrician
6/9/2009-4:25pm at 4:25 pm (UTC -4)
Rollins shouldn’t be the target. It should be Vicky. I want him to drill Vicky in the ribs and leave him with a broken rib or two. Nail him in the first at-bat.
CaseStreet
6/9/2009-4:27pm at 4:27 pm (UTC -4)
agreed
stickguy
6/9/2009-4:31pm at 4:31 pm (UTC -4)
Oh yeah. Utley and Howard I don’t like but respect as players (except for Utley and his hanging over the plate), but I can’t stand that punk Victorino. Talk about a hot dog and show off.
Not sure about nailing him early though. Have to make sure not to get JS tossed!
although he can feel free to ride one in off of Utleys wrist. It will probably be in the strikezone anyway.
sabermetrician
6/9/2009-4:33pm at 4:33 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed that Utley’s plate position should be dealt with too… but first Vicky has to pay for his violation of the code.
There's Always '09
6/9/2009-4:40pm at 4:40 pm (UTC -4)
what did vicky do? did he do something recently? i don’t remember.
smooth
6/9/2009-4:29pm at 4:29 pm (UTC -4)
Then they will do something stupid and hit one of our stars, we already lost 2 to injury. Do we really want to lose another over and play right into the phillies hands?
sabermetrician
6/9/2009-4:31pm at 4:31 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think they would respond by throwing at anyone. They know that what Vicky did was against the “code” and that he has to pay for it. (If you’re saying they would do something stupid if we hit JRoll then I understand your point).
saltygary
6/9/2009-4:45pm at 4:45 pm (UTC -4)
For FMART’s initiation he should go up to Vic and just kick him in the nuts. I want to see some fight in this team tonight.
smooth
6/9/2009-4:55pm at 4:55 pm (UTC -4)
LOL the thought of seeing that happen alone is hilarious. Im not sure how it would occur tho, maybe Murph can give him a low blow on a tag throw to first.
stickguy
6/9/2009-4:28pm at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
if there is one thing you should have learned by now, it is to not try and predict what this team will do. 2/3 from Boston, but swept by Pitt?
Did it rain this AM in NY? it poured (huge thunderstorms) in Philly at about 8:30, and I think the system coming in now (just to the west) is even bigger and more severe.
So, since I think it is following the same track, guess accordingly!
metsfan4decades
6/9/2009-4:44pm at 4:44 pm (UTC -4)
I agree Stick. What looks good on paper hardly ever translates….
I’m just gonna say: Johan is King and LGM!
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-4:31pm at 4:31 pm (UTC -4)
Perhaps something like this will be in the pre-game or the game thread post but I can’t wait so here are my 2 cents. The Phillies are throwing 3 consecutive left handed starting pitchers against the Mets. It will be interesting to see which wins out, the Phils incredible road record of 21-8 (not a misprint, they are 21-8 on the road) or the Mets offensive dominance of LH pitching.
This is how much better most Mets do against lefties (how many points higher their OPS is against LH than RH):
Castillo + 77
Wright + 274
Murphy + 94
Beltran + 137
Sheffield + 209
Cora + 174
Church, Schneider, FMart (small sample), Santos and Tatis are worse vs. LH, which doesn’t bode well for the C position but otherwise only one or two guys will likely play who do worse against LH.
I am having an impossible time getting the overall team page to load at b-r.com so I can’t give you the “as a team” numbers, but I know they are higher vs. LH as well from looking a few days ago. That, plus the Mets head-to-head success against the Phils recently give me plenty of hope in this series despite the plea from some quarters not to project.
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-4:32pm at 4:32 pm (UTC -4)
Finally loaded. As a team the Mets OPS is + 81 vs. LH.
smooth
6/9/2009-4:45pm at 4:45 pm (UTC -4)
We also face Pettite in the yankees series, so 4 lefties over the next 6 games should help the offense out.
stickguy
6/9/2009-4:33pm at 4:33 pm (UTC -4)
Hebs, think you can get a copy to Jerry? He insists on sitting Murphy 9who is finally starting to hit again) for tatis, since he gut told him Tatis is a RH hitter.
GravediggerHebner
6/9/2009-5:22pm at 5:22 pm (UTC -4)
I was unable to get the message through. Per Adam Rubin:
Castillo, 2b
Cora, ss
Beltran, cf
Sheffield, lf
Wright, 3b
Tatis, 1b
Church, rf
Santos, c
Santana, lhp
Jerry Manuel indicated he would like to play Gary Sheffield all three games in left field, and right field would be divided between Ryan Church and Fernando Martinez, with Church getting dibs if he performs.
Daniel Murphy should get one start at first base this series.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2009/06/lineup-sheff-in-left-all-serie.html#ixzz0HyDZ1sAF&C
metsfan4decades
6/9/2009-5:42pm at 5:42 pm (UTC -4)
And back to the platoon bit with Church. We’re never going to know what this guy can do full time…