Philadelphia Phillies Bullpen Provides Balance

Last year, the Phillies were an offensive powerhouse that just barely made the playoffs thanks to an incredible end-of-season push and an epic display of incompetence on the part of the New York Mets. But then the Mets signed Johan Santana, leading to yet another preseason filled with predictions of the Mets winning not just the national league east division, but also the World Series.  And while the national sports media had their eyes fixed on the big apple once again, hardly anyone noticed when the Phillies signed some guy named Brad Lidge.  There were just a few comments about how Albert Pujols had broken Lidge in the playoffs and that Philly was his second—if not last—chance. If the media had entertained the notion that Lidge, who had once been nothing short of dominant in Houston, could have a resurgence in Philly, there would be arguments about which team made the better pickup: Mets or Phillies?  Starter or Closer? But such arguments were instead reserved for ... (link)