Back of bullpen figuring it out when it counts

One big difference between the World Champion 2008 Phillies and the 2009 National League champion Phillies was the backend of the bullpen.

In ’08, Ryan Madson was hitting 90 mph with his fastball and Brad Lidge was perfect. However, the following year Madson was inconsistent and Lidge blew 13 saves.

“I wasn’t healthy last year,” Lidge said. “I had my problems. I had to bounce back this year.”
Lidge has done just that. He has saved 27-of-32 games (before last night’s game), and his pal, Madson, has been nearly unhittable in the eighth.

“We’re really clicking at the right time,” Lidge said. “But the first two months, I was hurt and the next two months I was inconsistent. Once August rolled around, Doggie [Madson] came back from his [toe] injury and I started putting it together.”

During spring training, Lidge said he hoped the Phillies would return to the World Series and play the Yankees.

“It’s still very much a possibility,” Lidge said. “But we and the Yankees have a lot of work to do. Playing the Yankees again would be fun, but we have to get there first.”