Right in the Mix

A friend writes:

So we're now 53-46, 4.5 games back of the Braves and right in the mix for the wild card.

It's better than I actually expected, thanks to the two 4-game sweeps of the Reds before the break and the Rox this weekend.

We're now entering a key 9-game stretch of the season. We have 9 games against the D'backs (37-62), the Nats (42-57) and the Marlins (49-49).

We need to take 6 of those 9 games, minimum. Preferably 7-2, to get to 60-48 with 44 games left.

That would probably put us right in the mix with the Braves, who are a terrible road team, btw.

On to Lidge.

Why has there been no discussion of what to do about the closer role in the home stretch of the season? If we trade for Oswalt and then unload Werth to get prospects in a side deal, I hope we pick up some sorta relief pitcher for Werth.

He simply cannot pitch from the stretch, it's that simple. Today, he got the 'save' after giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 BB.

It's not about his "injuries". It wasn't last year, it's not this year.