Brad Lidge delivering strike three, or a ground ball, or fly ball, or out of some kind of out to win the Phillies back to back World Series or…

Ryan Madson is on the mound when IF the Phillies repeat as World F’n Champions. Or would you vote other? Madson seems to be favored currently but I think we all know Charlie is going to sneak Lidge into an appearance, and if he doesn’t blow it he would probably be used again. So Lidge, Madson, or other?

With all the sucking the Phillies have been doing lately, it’s kinda hard to pinpoint one sucky player as the reason for their recent downfall. Jimmy Rollins is 0-for-his last 27 with four walks since the 19th of June, Ryan Howard has just one home run in his last 15 games, Pedro Feliz had himself a nice 1-for-23 streak going on up until this week — and that’s not even mentioning any of the shiteous outings from our pitching staff during that time.

Well, all but one. The guy 95% of Philadelphians were ready to anoint as the new closer as soon as Brad Lidge started fucking up, Ryan Madson.

For some reason, ever since our eighth inning specialist was handed the closer’s role after Lidge landed on the DL with a “bum knee”, Ryan Madson been getting knocked around the park like he has “#57 Taschner” on the back of his jersey.

Check out his line since he blew a save against Toronto on June 16th (and I swear to God if any of you fucks talk about a small sample size, I’m gonna track you down by your IP address and punch you in the neck):

6 games, 0-2 record, an NL leading 3 blown saves (in six appearances!), 7.94 ERA, and a little over three baserunners allowed PER INNING. Meanwhile, opponents are batting .346 against him with a .485 OBP, .731 SLG%, and an insane 1.216 OPS.

The question remains though — WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?

There are plenty of theories floating around, but if you ask me, Madson has to stop relying on his fastball so much — ESPECIALLY that cutter that hasn’t been cutting since the first month of the season — and get back to throwing the pitch that got him a spot on a major league roster to begin with, that beautiful changeup of his.  I mean, you have a pitch in your arsenal that was the most swung at and missed pitch (percentage-wise) out of any major league pitcher in 2008, and instead of putting hitters away with it, you choose to throw that flat fastball over the middle of the plate to say, a Brian Roberts (hypothetically, of course) with 2 outs and a runner on base while you’re up a run in the bottom of the ninth.

As a matter of fact, I’m sure that’s the reason.

Take a look at this little statistical nugget dug up by Jayson Stark courtesy of those pitch-tracking geeks over at Inside Edge:

Ryan Madson hasn’t gotten a single swing-and-miss on his fastball since Lidge was placed on the DL.

Read that again.  NOT ONE. That’s kinda pathetic.

So Ryan, pretty please, with a fucking cherry on top, start throwing more changeups and stop throwing so many cot damn fastballs.

Your pal,
meechie

While it may not be an appealing phrase, rhyme-wise, (just like how Lidge’s entrance isn’t appealing, musically) many people are suggesting that Madson be moved to closer duty, given Lidge’s recent suckiness on the mound. While the numbers may suggest this is an improvement, Mad Dog closing move could also totally fuck up the bullpen and leave a shitstorm after the 7th inning.

History tells us that Madson does not adjust well to new roles. I was one of the overly optimistic fools that believed Mad Dog would flourish as a starter. The man was a cotdamn monster when he first came up from the farm system! But whence he was designated a starter in ‘06, he stank more than a Amy Winehouse-Courtney Love scissor session. Logically, one would believe that the adjustment fucked him up. Motherfucker forgot how to pitch after becoming so comfortable as a mid to late relief man. That is what’s worrisome about the thought of him closing.

As the moving picture box has told us lately, professional athletes are total pussies. Errr, I mean professional athletes suffer from anxiety and sociological problems. Some deal with it by taking anxiety medication, others choose to light farm hands on fire and machete the fuck outta them. Lidge being moved from a closer’s spot could affect the man some believe to have his fragile moments. So moving Madson to closer would most likely make Lidge the setup man. This can go one of two ways 1.) Madson is a successful closer, and Lidge is a decent setup man, or 2.) Madson shits himself again in a new role, Lidge cannot deal with the demotion, making the bullpen totally fucked.

While 6 blown saves are pretty sucky, I’m not sure if this is a risk you want to take. Madson could work as a closer, but I doubt B-Lidge would be a successful setup brah. If only the Phillies had another infielder with an oddly shaped head they could trade for a homicidal middle reliever…

Nipple holders after the jump:

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Excuse me while I catch up on my weekend Mets hating. First up? Ryan Madson, who had some SCATHING commentary directed towards those pesky Metros the other day. Check it:

Some of the guys on their team just wouldn’t fit in our clubhouse, and some of the guys here just wouldn’t fit with their guys. It’s one of those things where it’s two different mentalities, two different attitudes, everything. It’s like oil and water. We just don’t believe in the same things.

I believe what Ryan is trying to say here is: the Phillies believe they can win and go out on the field with that mentality on a daily basis, while the Mets are too busy working on handshakes to realize how much talent they are completely wasting out there.

That’s what it sounds like to me, at least.

After 5+ years in the majors, it looks as though Ryan Madson is finally shedding the #63 he has worn his whole career for a more big league-suitable #46. No word yet on what prompted the change, but I imagine after he signed his nice 3-year, $12 million deal he didn’t want to be confused with those high numbered nobodies who have absolutely no shot of making the team.

Unfortunately, if you happened to purchase a Madson jersey prior to this year, it is now worthless.

Madson #63/Flickr | Madson #46/Inquirer

PRESS RELEASE!:

The 76ers will celebrate the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies during “Phillies Night,” the highlight of which will be the fans’ opportunity to get their picture taken with the Commissioner’s Trophy prior to the Sixers game vs. the Knicks on Saturday, January 24, 2009. The trophy will be on display in the Wachovia Center at the 11th Street Atrium starting at 6:00pm until just before halftime. The game will tip-off at 7:00pm.

Fans will be able to view and photograph the trophy from the concourse as well as from the suite, club and mezzanine levels of the Wachovia Center, allowing for a 360 degree view of the prized hardware.

You hear that?  A THREE-HUNDRED AND SIXTY DEGREE VIEW! That’s like every possible angle.

If that isn’t worth the price of admission, surely this is:

In attendance for “Phillies Night” will be World Series MVP Cole Hamels – who will participate in the ceremonial opening tip – pitchers Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge, and outfielder Shane Victorino, all of whom will participate in a three-point shooting contest at halftime. The World Series trophy will also be brought to the court during the halftime ceremony, as well.

I’ve heard enough — count me in.  I’ll be up in Section 104 with the meech.fam in my #41 Manuel road jersey shouting “Come and touch it, Dave” at the top of my lungs to an injured Eddy Curry.  Or “Keep Eddy away from the towels!”

As for the three-point contest between the Phils?  If I were a handicapper, I’d put Shane Victorino as a 5/2 favorite followed by Cole Hamels & Ryan Madson at 3/1 with Brad Lidge as the 8/1 longshot.  I heard Shane got range, son.

I hope to see you there.

The headline says it all, maing.

Phillies, Madson reach 3-year extension deal | Phillies Zone

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