While we await the puck to drop on the crucial Game 6 between the Flyers and Bruins tonight at the Wachovia Center, there are several other interesting developments on the Philly sports scene.
First there is a dark cloud once again hovering over the Phillies. And it has nothing to do with the rain that fell on them in Denver that postponed last night’s game, nor the potential snow showers that could disrupt today’s planned day-night doubleheader. Roy Halladay is still set to pitch the opener.
This isn’t about the Phils’ starters; it’s about their closer. Again.
Brad Lidge’s arm hurts. Specifically, he’s once again having discomfort in his right elbow. He wasn’t available to pitch in Denver. And there were reports of more soreness while doing a long toss. In the meantime, Lidge says his elbow is “fine.”
Remember, this is the same guy who said all last year that his knee wasn’t bothering him. How’d that turn out?
Lidge looked good in finally closing out a game on Sunday and posting his first save of the year.
But if he’s not available, that spells trouble. Add in the fact that normal setup man Ryan Madson is on the shelf, and you suddenly have some big questions swirling around Phils’ bullpen.
Right now the plan is to have Jose Contreras close. So far he’s looked up to the task. They actually got a break with the rain-out because Contreras pitched the night before. The team does not believe Lidge will be available to pitch against the Rockies.
And in even weirder Phillies news, the team is getting three extra “home” games.
That’s because their late-June series in Toronto against the Blue Jays is being moved to Citizens Bank Park because of security concerns around the G20 Summit in Canada.
Couple of things stand out about this move. One, it ruins the potential homecoming of Phils’ ace Roy Halladay to his old team. Second, the Blue Jays will bat last and be the “home” team for the games in Philly, meaning the DH will be in use in the National League park.
First there is a dark cloud once again hovering over the Phillies. And it has nothing to do with the rain that fell on them in Denver that postponed last night’s game, nor the potential snow showers that could disrupt today’s planned day-night doubleheader. Roy Halladay is still set to pitch the opener.
This isn’t about the Phils’ starters; it’s about their closer. Again.
Brad Lidge’s arm hurts. Specifically, he’s once again having discomfort in his right elbow. He wasn’t available to pitch in Denver. And there were reports of more soreness while doing a long toss. In the meantime, Lidge says his elbow is “fine.”
Remember, this is the same guy who said all last year that his knee wasn’t bothering him. How’d that turn out?
Lidge looked good in finally closing out a game on Sunday and posting his first save of the year.
But if he’s not available, that spells trouble. Add in the fact that normal setup man Ryan Madson is on the shelf, and you suddenly have some big questions swirling around Phils’ bullpen.
Right now the plan is to have Jose Contreras close. So far he’s looked up to the task. They actually got a break with the rain-out because Contreras pitched the night before. The team does not believe Lidge will be available to pitch against the Rockies.
And in even weirder Phillies news, the team is getting three extra “home” games.
That’s because their late-June series in Toronto against the Blue Jays is being moved to Citizens Bank Park because of security concerns around the G20 Summit in Canada.
Couple of things stand out about this move. One, it ruins the potential homecoming of Phils’ ace Roy Halladay to his old team. Second, the Blue Jays will bat last and be the “home” team for the games in Philly, meaning the DH will be in use in the National League park.
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