What To Do With One Brad Lidge..

I could post about a lot of things today. We could talk about how Brian Westbrook is going to miss training camp. We could talk about how much of a wreck the Sixers are. We could even try to stir up some rumors, like the Flyers going after Jay Bouwmeester. 

However, the biggest problem today seems to be with the one of the biggest sure things this city had a year ago. That's the closer in the bullpen. Brad Lidge has seemed to lost all confidence in himself. Last year, he was perfect. This year, not so much. Look, we all knew he wasn't going to have the same season he had last year but I wouldn't have ever guessed Lidge would have a 7+ era and six blown saves before the fourth of July. So, now the Phillies are sitting there thinking of what they can do with Lidge. Here are some of the answers the Phillies have.

• Shut down Lidge, let someone else get a chance: This one is what most fans probably think should be done but there are steep consequences for this. Ryan Madson would most likely be the guy to get those chances. However, what happens if Madson struggles. You now have lost your two best relievers at the mid-point of the season. On the flip side, what if Madson is great? Well, you have solved your closer spot but now you also have no place for Brad Lidge. In Houston when Lidge lost the closer role, the wheels came off and that was it for him as an Astro. The Phillies still have Lidge under contract the next two seasons, and losing him would be the worst. That's why I don't see this happening.
• Keep giving Lidge the ball: I'm not sure how I feel about this one either. I do think Lidge will get it back, and I really don't think shutting him down will help him at all. He needs to pitch through this and get confidence back that way. No one has ever gotten their swagger back with a trip to the DL. This team needs Lidge, and hopefully he will work through it. 
• My solution: Let me stress, there is no perfect answer with Lidge. Right now, I would pick my spots with Lidge. I know they are worried about overworking Madson, but yesterday would've been a good day to try and have him go a second inning. Lidge needs to find himself. To me the only way to do that is to keep trying. 

Hopefully Lidge gets things going soon. Tonight the Phillies look for a split with the Dodgers at 8:05pm.