Phillies Insider: Lidge's Save Streak At Risk

I'm a big Aerosmith fan.

And one of Boston's Bad Boys' most popular tunes is the 1993 hit single "Livin' On The Edge."

Here's my favorite snippet from that song:

"Tell me what'cha think about'chor situation?
Contemplation...
Aggravation... is getting to you"

That lyric reminds me of Brad Lidge and how he's wriggled out of trouble in recent weeks to perserve his save streak.

Lidge was certainly Livin' On The Edge Sunday night against the Cardinals, who certainly haven given the closer nightmares a time or two.

Here's how it unfolded.

The Phillies led 5-3 in the ninth inning. Troy Glaus greeted Lidge with a solo homer that plunked off the foul pole in left field.

Aaron Miles reached base. So did Rich Ankiel thanks to an error by Ryan Howard.

With first-and-third and one out, Lidge ran a slider too far inside, bean-balling Cesar Izturis in the process.

Bases jammed.

Up came Nick Stanvinoha, who struck out without much of a fuss. Joe Mather stepped up and, once again, Lidge overpowered another inexperienced rookie by throwing slider after slider.

All the while, Albert Pujols waited on deck... and you know the history between he and Lidge.

Lidge closed the door for his 28th save in as many attempts.

Will Brad Lidge ever blow a save? I think so. He's come oh-so-close over the past few weeks.

The question is, when Lidge does cough one up, how will he react? I think it's worth pondering considering Lidge's history of blowing saves... and how he responded from a performance standpoint.

Hopefully, it won't take a mammoth Pujols home run for that question to get answered...

And, hopefully, Lidge can keep himself from falling off the edge...