The playoffs are coming fast, a little too fast for the Phillies.
Only one week remains before Charlie Manuel’s team begins the defense of its World Series championship, and it still hasn’t gotten a grip on how to protect a lead in the ninth inning. Brad Lidge’s nightmare season isn’t the only major concern for the Phillies, either, as a wrist injury to catcher Carlos Ruiz could force backup Paul Bako into the lineup, with no insurance behind Bako.
Lidge blew his 11th save Wednesday night, after his most likely replacement, Ryan Madson, had given up a run in the eighth inning. That duo entered the weekend having been scored on in seven of its last 11 appearances, including four in a row for the perpetually flummoxed Lidge.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Friday that the Phillies will consider other options for closing games, though Manuel has been reluctant to go with anyone besides Lidge or Madson.
Brett Myers appeared a possible solution a month ago but is able to throw only in the bullpen because of shoulder problems. He’s scheduled for two workouts this week, which will leave Manuel to evaluate Myers’ playoff readiness after one or two outings next weekend.
Other creative options include trying rookie starter J.A. Happ or Chan Ho Park, who has closed for Korea in the World Baseball Classic.
Ruiz, a big part of the 2008 playoff run, is sidelined after getting an injection for inflammation in his left wrist. The Phillies are worried about how effective he will be and what trouble they could be in without him, as they have traded or released catchers Jason Jaramillo, Ronny Paulino, Chris Coste and Lou Marson in the last year.
Here’s a look at the concerns of the other probable playoff teams on the eve of October:
*Dodgers: The young front of the rotation is a mess, and Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw have only three more starts — two for Kershaw, one for Billingsley — to get ready for a possible rematch with the Phillies, who blistered them in last year’s National League Championship Series. Kershaw’s start Sunday will be his first since Sept.1. Unless he and Billingsley finish strong, midseason pickups Vicente Padilla and Jon Garland could get playoff starts, with Randy Wolf as the Game 1 starter. Joe Torre’s bullpen has been used heavily, and Manny Ramirez is not the same since his 50-game suspension.
*Tigers: The pitching staff that has put up big numbers is running on fumes, witnessed by a 4.85 ERA in September (23rd in the majors). Leadoff man Curtis Granderson (.181, two home runs, no stolen bases in September) and closer Fernando Rodney would love a fast finish to build momentum to face the Yankees. Rodney is having trouble throwing strikes, an issue that can be exploited quickly in October.
*Angels: Pitching has carried Mike Scioscia’s team, which averaged 3.7 runs in its first 22 September games. First baseman Kendry Morales (one homer in his last 87 at-bats) and outfielder Juan Rivera have been making a lot of outs. Closer Brian Fuentes has had few easy saves lately.
*Yankees: The rotation behind CC Sabathia is shaky, with A.J. Burnett an unknown quantity and Andy Pettitte trying to fight through a sore shoulder. Joba Chamberlain, who lasted just 13 innings in his first four September starts, moves to the bullpen. The Yankees’ September ERA has been barely better than the Tigers’.
*Red Sox: General manager Theo Epstein looks awfully smart adding catcher Victor Martinez as captain Jason Varitek is a mess. He’s hitting .121 in September and might not get much playing time in the first-round series with the Angels. It will be interesting to see if this becomes a sideshow. The good news is after his initial pouting, Jonathan Papelbon is playing nice with Billy Wagner.
*Rockies: Huston Street is penciled in as the closer despite missing almost three weeks with a sore shoulder. Aaron Cook, out for a month with a strained shoulder, gets one more start to show he can contribute. If he even resembles himself, he will present a question of how to handle Jason Marquis. Colorado wouldn’t be a playoff team without Marquis’ 15 victories, but he has a 6.28 ERA in September. He could be left off a playoff roster for the sixth time in 10 years.
*Cardinals: Mark DeRosa isn’t the same hitter he was before injuring his left wrist, which awaits surgery. The biggest concern for the Cardinals, as with the Phillies, Tigers and Angels, is the closer. Ryan Franklin (37-for-42 in save situations) has allowed about 2 1/2 baserunners an inning in September. How long will Tony La Russa trust the 36-year-old journeyman in October if he has John Smoltz in his bullpen?
Like clockwork: It’s a mystery why Adam Dunn had to wait until February to sign a two-year contract with the Nationals last winter. He’s one of the game’s most reliable run producers and has turned into an even better hitter after working with Nationals batting coach Rick Eckstein.
Entering the weekend, Dunn was batting .277 and needed two homers in his last 11 games to get to 40 for a sixth consecutive season — a streak accomplished only by Babe Ruth (seven), Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa.
“This is just scratching the surface,” Dunn, 29, said of his potential.
Teams such as the Cubs and his hometown Astros shied away from Dunn last winter because of fielding concerns in right field. He has played the outfield more than first base this season but projects long term as a first baseman or designated hitter. He could be a valuable trading chip for the Nationals this offseason and gets another crack at free agency after 2010. It’s time he gets a shot on a good team.
Advantage, Tigers: The Twins continue to hope for magic, but the Tigers delivered a huge sweep over the Indians — aka Dead Men Walking — to extend their AL Central lead back to three games entering the weekend. And they have to love the Royals’ pitching plans.
Zack Greinke, embroiled in a Cy Young race with the Mariners’ Felix Hernandez, faces the Twins on Sunday in Kansas City and again next weekend in Minnesota. He’s 4-0 with an 0.63 ERA in his last six starts. That suggests the Tigers can put away the race if they split a four-game series against the Twins.
Pitching matchups favor the Tigers in the first two games (Nick Blackburn-Rick Porcello on Monday, Brian Duensing-Justin Verlander on Tuesday) and the Twins in the final two games (Carl Pavano-Eddie Bonine on Wednesday, Scott Baker-Nate Robertson on Thursday).
Life after Bobby: The line to replace Braves manager Bobby Cox forms in the rear.
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, a former Cox disciple, is an obvious choice, but his contract with the Marlins extends through 2011. Ned Yost, the former Brewers manager, is another candidate who learned under Cox and could be plugged easily into place when Cox retires at the end of 2010. But what if La Russa somehow returned to the Cardinals with only a one-year contract to replace the one that is expiring?
Imagine La Russa being able to consider leaps to the Cubs or Braves, along with perhaps the Yankees and Mets, maybe even the White Sox (don’t overlook his relationship with Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf). There might not be an attractive non-Cardinals option for La Russa and his sidekick, pitching coach Dave Duncan, after this season. It’s hard to imagine the Cardinals wouldn’t give La Russa a one-year deal, if that’s what he prefers.
The last word: “We try to fly flags. We don’t talk.” — John Lackey on the Angels’ understated style.
———-
progers@tribune.com
