Daily Roundup: 4/29/10

I am starting a new segment called daily roundup, in which I comment on some of the major sports topics of the day.

Kolb Gets Extension: Kevin Kolb, the Eagles starting quarterback has received a contract extension. Kolb was only under contract for the upcoming season. This deal guarantees Kolb with be with the 'Birds for at least two years. The Eagles hope he'll be their starting QB for much longer than that though.

The deal is worth $12.26 million of guaranteed dough over the next two seasons. That's a lot of money for a guy that hasn't started more the two NFL games. It is evident the Eagles are very confident in Kolb. This deal basically means Kolb will get two years to prove himself in Philly.

Kolb: "I'm not trying to prove anybody wrong, I'm trying to prove this organization right for making this move. I know there are a lot of expectations. When you get an extension and you get the starting quarterback position, regardless of where you're at, there's a lot of pressure and responsibility."

Lidge Off DL: Phillies closer Brad Lidge was activated off the disabled list today. The Phillies will send down lefty Antonio Bastardo down to make room for Lidge. Hopefully, Brad can help sure up a shaky bullpen by shutting teams down in the 9th, something Ryan Madson couldn't do.

Antonio Bastard didn't get a lot of outings, but when he did pitch, he pitched well. Bastardo was the only option for the Phils because all of their other relievers could have been exposed to other teams had they been sent down.

Charlie Manuel (on whether Lidge will close right away): "I don't know. We’ll have to see where we’re at with that. I’ll just play it by feel. I’ll talk to him first and see where he’s at and how he feels."

Sixers Still Looking: Rumors have been swirling all week about who will land the Sixers coaching job for next season. While Larry Brown has been talked about, other candidates are also being contacted by the Sixers. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, the Sixers have contacted Avery Johnson and the agent for former Sixer Doug Collins. They have also pursued some high-ranked assistant coaches and talked internally about Jeff Van Gundy.

The Sixers have so far denied all Larry Brown rumors. I think Larry would be the best fit for the job. His family lives in the area. Brown has turned around teams before and that's what the Sixers need, a turnaround. They should also make Brown the president of basketball operations.

Phillies Headed to NLCS!!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/loop_oh/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

The Phillies are never out of a game. That's what we learned today. Even after falling behind 4-2 in the 8th, the Phillies were not out of the game. Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth and Brad Lidge were the heroes of this 5-4 win. Here we come LA!

Our ace, Cliff Lee, was on the mound and he delivered 7 1/3 innings of 1-run ball. Cliff Lee is pitching in the 2009 playoffs like Cole Hamels did in 2008 playoffs. He was hitting his spots again tonight, absolutely dominating the Rockies.

Then in the 7th, Charlie pulled Lee in favor of Madson. He pulled off a double switch, placing Ben Francisco in left, which would prove vital. With the Phillies only up by one and with runners on 1rst and second, Madson got Tulowitzki to hit a shallow fly to left field. Ben Francsico made an amazing diving catch, saving a run. Madson did give up 3 runs in the inning, however.

So things looked bleak. The Phillies down by 2 in the 9th inning. I was gearing up for a Game 5, but the Phillies proved me wrong. Jimmy Rollins lead off the inning with an infield single. Victorino got to first on a fielder's choice. Utley walked to put runners on 1rst and 2nd with 2 outs...

Ryan Howard yanked one in right field. I thought it was gone off the bat, but instead it bounced up against the wall, TYING THE GAME. So with Ryan Howard on second, Werth was do up. He fisted one into center field, putting the Phils up by one. It was up to the bullpen....

Scotty Eyre entered the game, to the shock of us fans. Eyre rolled his ankle yesterday coming off the mound to field a bunt. But that did not deter this lovable lefty. He toughed it out and walked out to the mound in the 9th.

Eyre got the first 2 outs, but gave up 2 hits in the process. So with runners on 1rst and 2nd, Uncle Charlie called on Brad Lidge. Could Lidge get 2 saves in a row? The answer was yes, as he struck out Colorado fan favorite Troy Tulowitzki. Lidge is baaaaaaaaaack!

Phillies Pull Out CRAZY Game

The Phillies just recently finished up a victory, 6-5, over the Colorado Rockies in Game 3 of their NLDS series. That's right the game ended around 2:20am here on the East Coast. Brad Lidge actually can save games? Who knew? Carlos Ruiz's middle name is Clutch. Those are just some of the things we have learned from this game.

J. A. Happ started this game, but he didn't go very long. He really struggled in the 1rst inning, giving up 4 hits and 2 runs. He settled down a little bit but was never really hitting his spots. He had trouble throwing strikes, and really did not look well.

The back-end of the bullpen actually looked good today. Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin, and Brad Lidge all pitched scoreless inning in the 7th, 8th, and 9th. Scotty Eyre did roll his ankle while fielding a bunt. His status for the rest of the series is uncertain.

It was 5-5 heading to the 9th and the Phillies had to muster up a run. Jimmy Rollins started it all by knocking the ball to center for a single. The Flyin' Hawaiian bunted him to 2nd. Utley reached base on a "swinging bunt," Utley's hustle allowed him to beat that one out.

After replay, the ball should have been ruled a foul ball by the umpires. Instead Utley moved Rollins to 3rd and Howard hit a sac fly the next at-bat, giving the Phillies the winning run. The Phillies deserved that call. They had been cheated by the umps in the game up until that point. Matt Stairs, while pinch-hitting, had 2 balls called strikes against him when they were clearly outside. Also, Happ's strike zone was squeezed early in the game.

So the big story coming out of this game? No, it isn't the below 30° temperatures. It was Brad Lidge finally getting a save in a 1-run game, in a max-pressure situation. It wasn't easy though. Brad walked Carlos Gonzalez (aka "Philly Killer") with 1 out. Gonzalez toke second, and Lidge got Giambi to pop out.

So, with 2 outs, the Rockies best hitter, Todd Helton, had a chance to win the game. But Brad Lidge didn't give him that chance. So with 2 out and the winning run on first, Brad Lidge got Troy Tulowitzki to pop out and end the game.

Lidge Blows Another One

B rad Lidge is no stranger to blown saves. And he added another one to his collection earlier tonight at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The Phillies were winning 4-3 going into the bottom of the 9th. Then, Brad Lidge came in and before you knew it, the game was over. The Pirates won 6-4.

The Phillies came back from down a run in the top of the 9th to take the lead by a run. Andrew McCutchen misjudged a deep fly from Victorino. Ben Francisco scored as the go-ahead run. McCuthcen later made up for that in a big way.

Game over... Lidge's fault again.

Then in the bottom of the inning, Lidge immediately gave up a lead-off single (his trademark). After a wild pitch by Brad, the runner moved up 90 feet into scoring position. Then Brandon Moss hit a liner into left that Werth bobbled on the bounce, allowing the tying run to score.

Then, Andrew McCutchen stepped in. He knocked a 2-run walk-off homer off against Lidge. The rookie overpowering the vet. Game over... Lidge's fault again.

The game started off so promising, with a first-pitch homer for J-Roll. Then, on the first pitch of his second at-bat, Jimmy knocked another dinger. The Phillies should sweep the Pirates, no offense to Pittsburgh fans. The fact of the matter is that the Pirates traded away all their veteran talent and the Phils should beat a team made of mostly young players.

Lidge is Not a Closer

Brad Lidge's ability as a closer was on display tonight at Wrigley Field. Brad gave up a 1-run lead in the ninth inning after walking the lead off batter. Lidge was perfect last season but has been anything but this year. His 7.29 ERA would hint at that.

While the Phillies did win tonight's game 4-3 in 12 innings, they should have won in the regulation 9. Lidge has blown 7 saves this season. The Phillies could have a bigger lead in the division if he had saved maybe 5 of those.

Lidge should be relegated to mop-up duty. I don't want to see him in a close game. Even in the lest pressure situations, Lidge is assured to give up his usual run or two. That won't fly in the playoffs.

We can only hope that another reliever steps up in Lidge's place. I don't know who that could be at the moment. Ryan Madson didn't do good in his last try as closer. Hey, there's always Tyler Walker.

Lidge Wins Award but Burrell Hurting

Congratulations to Phillies closer Brad Lidge. He has won the 2008 Comeback Player of the Year Award. He deserved to, what with him being perfect and all. He has 41 saves in as many opportunities. You can't do better if your a closer (shut up K-Rod). he has done exactly what the Phillies have asked him to do: Not blow a save in the red pinstripes.

There is some alarming news for Phillies fans, however. Pat Burrell left practice early today, complaining of back pain. He reportedly took one batting practice swing, and the pain ensued. This is horrible news. Burrell is one of the Phils' top RBI machines, and he might not be able to go tomorrow afternoon in the first game against the Brewers. The Phillies' training staff will check in on his back tomorrow before the came, and see if he can go.

Here are some reactions to Lidge's Comeback Player of the Year Award from the Blogosphere:

Sports Fountainhead: Lidge Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year

The 700 Level: Brad Lidge Comeback Player of the Year

Baseball Digest Daily: Lee, Lidge 2008 Comeback Players

Shutdown Closer

Shutdown closer, that's been the words to describe Brad Lidge this season.  The Phillies closer has been nothing short of dominant this season.  He ranks fourth in saves in the National League (26).  But the more important stat is that the he has not blown a save chance for the Phillies.  He is a perfect 26 for 26.

How has he regained his old form this year?  Beside the fact that he's been healthy this season, he also has improved his already nasty slider.  Lidge's top pitches are a high 90s fastball and a mid-to-low 90s slider.  That slider has been really striking out hitters.

His road ERA, an impeccable O.82.  Lidge has really been a key to the Phillies' success this season.  It's important to have that shutdown closer in the bullpen.  Righties are batting a horrid .088.  That's a remarkable number.

Lidge has 59 strikeouts in 46 innings.  But what's more than the stats is that when he comes in the game, players and fans know he will shut the other team down.  He gives the feeling that the game is saved as soon as he enters the game.  That's certainly what he's done this year.