Brad Lidge hoped to be ready for Opening Day, but that’s not going to happen.  The Phillies placed Lidge on the 15-day disabled list.  Given the Phillies are allowed to retro-act Lidge’s placement on the disabled list, the first day he will be available to the Phillies will be on April 5th in Cincinnati.

Although it’s a bummer that Lidge will not be available for Opening Day, starting the season on the disabled list isn’t a bad thing.  Lidge isn’t going on the DL due to knee pain.  His knee is pain free, so the surgery was successful.  Lidge just needs a little more time to build arm strength and to sharpen his slider.  Him joining the team in Cincinnati is a realistic option.

It also gives Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee a little more time to sort out the final spots for the bullpen.  Given what is available, the Phillies will now probably go with the 11-man pitching staff, meaning Chris Snelling will make the team as a 25th man.  Clay Condrey and Travis Blackley should start the season in Philadelphia, barring a player isn’t brought in from another organization.

Tom Gordon will begin the season as the closer with Ryan Madson and JC Romero setting him up.

Although Grapefruit and Cactus League play continue, the season officially begins tomorrow when the Red Sox take on the Athletics in Tokyo.  That being said, I might as well get my 2008 predictions before the first official pitch is thrown.  Here ya go (*- denotes Wild Card):

AL East

1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox*
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles

The Red Sox are the obvious favorites, but Josh Beckett’s back is balky, and losing Curt Schilling will hurt.  Given the fact it’s the Yankees last season at Yankee Stadium, I predict some magic.

AL Central

1. Detroit Tigers
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Minnesota Twins

Despite their bullpen woes, Detroit’s lineup is too good to keep them from winning the central.

AL West

1. Seattle Mariners
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Texas Rangers
4. Oakland Athletics

I might be one of the 5 people in the country who’s not picking the Angels, but I like the Mariners team.  Richie Sexson should rebound for his terrible season last year, and Erik Bedard might be the best pitcher in the American League.

AL Champion:  Detroit Tigers

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. New York Mets*
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Washington Nationals
5. Florida Marlins

Call me a homer for picking the Phillies, but that’s not why I picked them.  The Phillies have less questions then the Mets.  Aging players, and the Pedro factor hurt their chances.

NL Central

1. Chicago Cubs
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Houston Astros
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cubs are the obvious favorite, and the only surprise here should be the Reds. I think they have a good young team, that Dusty Baker will get to perform.  The Brewers are slightly overrated in my opinion.  They still live and die by Ben Sheet who hasn’t had a healthy season ever…

NL West

1. Arizona Diamondbacks
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. Colorado Rockies
4. San Diego Padres
5. San Francisco Giants

Every team outside the Giants has a shot to win this division.  All teams have strong pitching, but talent-wise I give the edge to Arizona.  The Wild Card should come out of the west given all the talent, but they also will be playing each other all season, which will balance out their records.

NL Champion:  Philadelphia Phillies

Okay, maybe now I’m being a homer, but the pitching is improved over last season, and while Aaron Rowand will be missed, Geoff Jenkins and Pedro Feliz will make out of his production.

2008 World Series Champion:  Detroit Tigers

See I’m not a complete homer.

Yesterday the Phillies placed Scott Mathieson, Mike Zagurski, and Francisco Rosario all on the 15-day disabled list.  Mathierson is recovering from ulner nerve transreposition surgery and Zagurski is recovering from hamstring surgery.  Both players have seen no action this spring, and were expected to begin the season in the DL.  Rosario was a different story. Diagnosed with a right shoulder strain, there were no prior reports about an injury.  This does explain why he hasn’t pitched since March 14th.

Despite his 5.91 ERA this spring, Rosario was one of the favorites to land to the final (or two) spots in the bullpen.  He allowed 7 earned runs in 4 appearances, but 6 were in a start on March 14th, the last time he took the mound.

Rosario’s trip to the DL opens the door for Clay Condrey.  Condrey is a pitcher who’s never impressed me, but hasn’t had a terrible spring.

Assuming the Phillies carry twelve pitchers, Condrey’s competition is limited.  Travis Blackley, JD Durbin, and Vic Darrenbourg would be his primary competition.  Given that Blackley and Darrensbourg are both left-handed pitchers, that would only factor in if the Phillies take the eleven man staff.  If you had to choose between Condrey and Durbin, it’s a no brainer, Condrey gets the nod.  I’m suprised Durbin is still on the roster.

The left-handed side is tricky.  I figured it was Blackley’s.  He’s a Rule 5 pick, so if he doesn’t make the team they lose him (unless the Giants don’t want him back).  Blackley has shown some great breaking pitches, but also shown that he’s unable to control them.  In yesterday’s rain shorted action, Blackley faced two hitters.  He hit one (Curtis Granderson, who was sent for x-rays), and walked the other.

At 37 Darrensbourg has plenty of experience.  A long shot to make the team (he hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2005), he’s had a strong spring posting a 2.57 ERA in seven innings.  But given his career numbers (8-17 4.96), what he’s doing in spring probably won’t be what we see this season.

It’s a tough call and this week is when the decisions will be made.  Once the Chris Snelling/Wes Helms situation is figured out, we’ll know more about the bullpen.  Since none of the lefties are really stepping up,  I’d think Condrey has the advantage to make the team regardless if the staff is 11 or 12 pitchers.

“Wow! All the way to Fort Myers.  Jesus Christ almighty. I’m not worried. God ****, I’m going to Fort Myers, too.”

Charlie Manuel – When asked about sending Adam Eaton to Fort Myers to start against the Twins.

I love Charlie Manuel…

Brad Lidge was originally scheduled to play in a minor league game yesterday.  The weather didn’t cooperate, and the game was rained out.  It didn’t stop Lidge from getting some work. 

Lidge pitched a “four out” inning in an interquad game against minor leaguers yesterday afternoon.  In his first game situation this spring, Lidge retired four of the five batters he faced, striking out three.  The only base runner he allowed, Jayson Werth, advanced to first on a six-pitch walk.

Lidge felt no pain, and was happy with the outing:

"There’s nothing better than facing hitters," said Lidge, who threw 12 of his 19 pitches for strikes. "That was a lot of fun. I was glad to get out there and feel good. I felt a lot better [command-wise], and I think that was because of having actual hitters and being able to lock in with an actual game surrounding."

Lidge will pitch in a minor league again on Sunday, and see some Grapefruit League action next week.  Barring no setback, Lidge will be ready for Opening Day.

CORRECTION:  Yesterday I posted about Adam Eaton, and his hopes to follow the strong outings likes of Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, and Jamie Moyer.   Well it never happened.  Due to Kyle Kendrick’s minor league rainout, Eaton was bumped so Kendrick could get the start against Pittsburgh.  Kenrick also impressed, pitching five shutout innings.  Eaton will take the mound today against the Twins.

For three of the pat four days now the Phillies have had strong outings by their starting pitching.  Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, and Jamie Moyer have gone into at least the 6th inning, and have given up a combine four earned runs (the other outing was from Chad Durbin, who allowed three runs in five innings), well today they hope to continue the magic as Adam Eaton takes the mound against the Pirates.

Adam Eaton…  Probably the least favorite Phillie for fans (outside those related to him), but their #5 starter going into the season (barring no health issues).  No one really wants to see him fail, it’ll only hurt the team. 

Eaton is 0-2 this spring with an ERA of 9.00, but is coming off a scoreless outing, last Saturday against the Twins.  Hopefully his back is feeling okay, and he’s gaining confidence.

The game can be watched on MLB.com, via MLB.TV.

As part of his continuing rehabilition from knee surgery, Closer Brad Lidge will take part in pitchers fielding practice this morning.  This is the biggest step for Lidge in his recovey because it puts the most strain on his surgically repaired knee.

Should today go well, Lidge will pitch in a minor league game tomorrow.  Barring any setbacks, Lidge will see his first Grapefruit League action Sunday against the Blue Jays.

All signs are pointing to Lidge being ready for Opening Day, but today’s practice will be very telling where Lidge stands.

Chad Durbin got the start yesterday against the Indians, and while he wasn’t exactly what you’d call lights out, he definitely showed some improvement.  Durbin pitched five innings, allowing four hits, and three runs, as the Phillies beat the Indians 6-4. 

Durbin is in the running for the 5th spot in the rotation, but I think he’s better suited as a long reliever.  How I see it, the 5th spot is Adam Eaton’s (barring injury),  at least until Kris Benson is healthy enough to join the Phillies.

Speaking of Benson, his scheduled start today was scratched after arm soreness.  What Benson considered bicep tendinitis, is only a minor setback for the thirty-three year old starter.  His May return should be on target.  He’ll sit for a few days, and should be back on the mound within a week.  The only thing Benson will miss, is a Grapefruit League start, something he hoped he would get sometime next week.

On Sunday, the Boston Globe reported the Phillies have some interest in Colorado releiver Brian Fuentes.  While an acquisition of Fuentes would solidify the bullpen, and I think it’s a reach. 

Who are the Phillies going to offer, Wes Helms? 

Besides, IF the Rockies were to deal Fuentes (which probably isn’t in their bst interest), they’d most likely deal him to the American League.

He can’t say he wasn’t given the opportunity.  He also can’t say it will come as a surprise.  JD Durbin’s days are numbered as a member of the Phillies. 

Durbin made his fourth, and quite possibly final appearance for the Phillies yesterday.  Entering the game with a 1-0 lead in the 4th, Durbin came in and even though he expected different results, they stayed the same.  After a strong 4th inning, Durbin was lit up for three runs in the 5th, and another two in the six.  His final line:

3IP, 5H, 5ER, 2BB, 1K, 2HR

Factoring in those stats, Durbin’s spring numbers are a team worst:

4G, 12.1IP, 22H, 15ER, 7BB, 5K, 6HR

Not exactly the numbers the Phillies are looking for out of their 5th starter.  Given the fact there’s really only one, maybe two bullpen spots open with Brad Lidge, Tom Gordon, JC Romero, Ryan Madson, and Chad Durbin already securing spots, there’s no room for Durbin on the roster.  Look for the Phillies to release Durbin in the next day or three, allowing a spot on the 40-man rotation for Kris Benson.

Durbin had high hopes for this season.  He was one of the first players to arrive to camp.  He knew the 5th spot in the rotation was up for grabs, and he had as much chance to grab it as anyone.  Unfortunately nothing really changed for Durbin.  He’ll either get picked up by another club, or possibly clear waivers, and start the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. 

With the Grapefruit League half over, the Phillies find themselves at 5-11, tied for last place with the Pirates and Blue Jays.  Although Grapefruit League records don’t count, and a lot of players spend time working on pitches, or making hitting adjustments, manager Charlie Manuel is getting frustrated with the Phillies lackadaisical play and attitude. 

“It’s time for us to talk,” the manager said. "It’s good to be relaxed, good to be loose, but it’s about time for us to talk," Manuel said from a chair outside the clubhouse. "We’ve got some guys that are too cool. There’s a fine line in having a good time and being relaxed, and taking it for granted and being complacent. We’ve got something happening, but it’s nothing that we can’t take care of."

This is a different attitude we’ve seen out of Manuel.  Usually he’s jolly, and finds ways to motivate his players, by always emphisizing the positive.

Not this spring. 

"Some guys like their position and how [the roster] is going to go because somebody can’t beat them out, and that’s not the right attitude to take," Manuel said, not referring to specific players. "I don’t know when, but it might be time for us to have a little chat."

I can’t say Manuel is wrong here.  The Phillies are notorious slow starters (remember last year’s 12-14 start?), and another slow start could be disasterous.   The Mets are obviously stronger with the addition of Johan Santana, and you cannot overlook the Braves.  If the Phillies lose ground early this season, it’s not going to be as easy to make it up.

An arguement could be made that it’s hard to get up for a game when nothing is on the line, and once the games count they’ll be a different mindset.  That’s true to a point, but I’ve noticed a definate attitude change out of the Phillies this spring.  They still appear to still be living off of winning the NL East last season.  That was last season, and there’s not mention of getting swept to the Rockies in the NLDS.

Expectations need to be set higher and an example should be made for younger players.

I’m not too worried about the Phillies.  The talent is there and once the regular season begins, I know they’ll play the baseball they’re capable of.  I just think they need to get into the season mindset before the season starts.