The Dugout Report

Brad Lidge’s transformation from regular season chump to postseason champ continued Wednesday with the Phillies’ 10-4 win over LA. It then took a terrible turn when he charged catcher Carlos Ruiz and embraced him, setting off one of the most comical and embarrassingly uncool celebrations of all time. OF ALL TIME. Thank you Kanye.

The 6′5 Lidge embraced the 5′10 Ruiz in the same way that I hug my 5′2 girlfriend, with a slight bend to his knees and a hunch in his back. The diminutive Ruiz did his best to not be completely enveloped by the taller man, but succeeded only in keeping his face away from Lidge’s torso.

The meltdown continued when the odd couple began jumping up and down like bunnies. It got worse when Lidge added in a synchronized pat of the back to Ruiz. Their embrace was made even more difficult to watch amongst the subdued businesslike celebration of their teammates, who clearly have another World Series title on their minds.

Philadelphia has a full week to prepare for game 1 of the World Series. They should take full advantage and get their dorky closer a couple of highlight reels to watch and learn some big boy celebrations.

The coasting Red Sox and grinding Rockies both saw their seasons come to an end this past weekend with their closers on the mound. For Boston is was Jonathan Papelbon allowing his first postseason runs while allowing the Angels to dig themselves out of a two run deficit with two outs and nobody on. For Colorado, it was Huston Street blowing a fresh Rockie lead.

It was an abrupt end for both teams, who had visions of grandeur. Colorado powered through the second half of the season behind Ubaldo Jimenez and Troy Tulowitzki. Boston struggled through injury and pitching deficiency but seemed poised to make a run with a strong top of the rotation.

Instead it was an anemic Sox offense that scored just seven runs in the three game series. David Ortiz, whose second half resurgence gave faint hopes to the type of offense the team has had in years past, appeared dazed and swinging an foam pool noodle. Longtime stalwart Kevin Youkilis managed just one hit while RBI leader Jason Bay managed the same. The Sox were victimized by Bobby Abreu and the surprising Erick Aybar. Aybar, who was the goat of 2008’s ALDS for Los Angeles, came up huge with the game 3 rally starting single.

Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki, a player who the Rockies seem to either rise or fall with, went just 1/5 and ended the game with a strikeout. Beleaguered Phillies closer Brad Lidge has seemingly reinvented himself in just days after being one of the worst closers in baseball in 2009.

The offseason plates differ greatly for these two clubs. Colorado is filled with young talent, Tulowitzki, Dexter Fowler, Carlos Gonzalez and Clint Barmes should again be key players. Jeff Francis should return to bolster a staff that has been lifted by Jimenez and Aaron Cook. Franklin Morales will likely take on a larger role.

For Boston, it’s a reloading year to be certain. Not only did they fail to make it out of the ALDS, they’ve been quickly surpassed in performance and talent by their hated rivals from Gotham. Expect to see left fielder Jason Bay return, as he was a consistent performer during the regular season. General Manager Theo Epstein faces tough decisions ahead with Mike Lowell and David Ortiz appearing near the end of the road. The offense needs a feature bat badly, as they have a collection of #6 hitters (Bay, Drew, Lowell,) and #5 hitters (Youkilis, Martinez). The team also has a decision at shortstop, which has been a revolving door since Nomar Garciaparra was traded. If there is one silver lining in Boston, which took a beating Sunday with the Patriots also losing, its that the Sox will almost certainly pursue at least one big bat in addition to either Roy Halladay or Aroldis Chapman.

Adam Wainwright was outstanding Thursday, continuing his prolific 2009 season with eight innings of one run baseball. Manager Tony LaRussa went to 1.92 ERA closer Ryan Franklin who got the job done getting two quick outs followed by a soft fly ball that left fielder Matt Holliday couldn’t handle.

What looked like a 1-1 series quickly unraveled as the Dodgers rallied to win the game. The Cardinals look like they are done now, having run out their best two pitchers and losing both games. They turn to 15 game winner Joel Pineiro at home but will have to win out either without their aces or with them on short rest. LA looks to be in great shape despite not having a normal Chad Billingsley or a healthy Hiroki Kuroda.

The Red Sox looked lifeless in Anaheim, getting shutout by Angels’ ace John Lackey. They couldn’t muster any semblance of offense and their pitching couldn’t attack the strike zone against Bobby Abreu, who was on base four times.

Ramon Ramirez looked terrible in relief but Daniel Bard looked great. Boston looks to steal one Friday night with Josh Beckett on the hill. Jered Weaver goes for Anaheim, he’s allowed just one earned run in two starts against the Red Sox, and has pitched exceptionally well at home, where he’s 9-3 with a 2.90 ERA. He has seemed to draw an extraordinary amount of strength from pitching in front of the Nick Adenhart visage on the center field wall. Certainly emotions will be running high for him and it will be up to Victor Martinez and Dustin Pedroia to get Boston’s offense going. David Ortiz looked ancient and Kevin Youkilis seemed to be pressing in game one.

It’s pretty funny that Yankee fans have been so gung ho about the supposed “difference” that CC Sabathia has brought to the team this year. He’s been good, no doubt, but did he bring anything to the table that the 2008 Yankees ace did?

Here’s Mike Mussina’s numbers in his last season: 20-9, 3.37 ERA, 200.1 ip.

Here’s Sabathia’s: 19-8, 3.37, 230 ip.

So yeah, he’s been good, but the difference for the Yankees this year over last year has really been Mark Teixiera. The powerful first baseman has been a huge upgrade from Jason Giambi and has interestingly taken away some of the spotlight and pressure from Mr. Kate Hudson.

The Yankees really took advantage of the tired Twins and their relentless offense wore down Brian Duensing and the once great, now terrible Francisco Liriano. They get a day off today, and barring any Miguel Cabrera – like excursions they should appear as a fresh team on Friday.