Sports

Paul Sokoloski

The magic of the postseason is so powerful, it can move men to superhuman feats, turn has-beens into heroes and make impossible dreams come true.

It can also magnify the tiniest mistakes.

The Philadelphia Phillies pray they aren’t making one with Brad Lidge.

He saved the day last year, by riding into town in an offseason trade with the Houston Astros and delivering the first World Series championship for the Phillies in 28 years. The right-handed reliever made all Philadelphia’s tension disappear by making batters go away while saving 41 games in 41 chances during the 2008 regular season.

Lidge was every bit as reliable in the playoffs, recording saves in all seven of his postseason opportunities - ending with one final strikeout that clinched the World Series and sent the city into euphoria.

Overall, he was 48-for-48 in saving games for the Phillies last season.

But “Mr. Perfect” developed a few flaws.

This season, Lidge seems to blow games at the same rapid rate he saved them in 2008. He had 42 chances to save victory for the Phillies this year and 11 times Lidge folded like a bad hand at the poker table.

Anybody want to gamble on him with the World Series on the line this time?

Apparently, the Phillies do.

Despite Lidge’s 0-8 record and 7.21 ERA - horrible numbers for a pitcher entrusted with his team’s fate – the Phillies insist they’ll place their faith in Lidge when their National League Division Series against Colorado opens Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

“I feel a little bit better about Lidge,” said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. “I think he can get people out. I still have confidence in him.”

That confidence was only somewhat rewarded when Lidge converted 18 of his final 23 save opportunities after returning from a stint on the disabled list to help him stabilize a shaky knee.

But his overall performance has been as shaky this year as it was steady last season. Lidge hasn’t had a save since Sept. 20 in Atlanta, and he blew his last save attempt by giving up two runs in the ninth inning three days later.

The opening of the postseason won’t absolve those struggles.

Or will it?

“To me, it’s like a new season,” said Lidge, 32. “Whatever happened during the regular season, happened during the regular season. I have a chance to rewrite the script here.

“I really feel like I will.”

He’ll have help, of course.

Ryan Madson, who replaced Lidge as the main ninth-inning pitcher for the Phillies, will continue to get chances as the team’s closer. But at some point, Lidge is going to be asked to throw late-inning playoff pitches with the game on the line.

And the Phillies say they won’t hesitate to trust him.

“No one has a blown save,” shortstop Jimmy Rollins said, “no one has a batting average, no one has a win or a loss.

“It’s a new season.”

It’s the postseason. That’s where even beleaguered guys like Lidge can find instant vindication, or find out how quickly one more bad pitch can make them vilified.

Paul Sokoloski is a Times Leader sports columnist. You may reach him at 970-7109 or email him at psokoloski@timesleader.com.