I fell asleep last night listening to the Phillies' exhibition game with the Pirates. The game started at 7:30 and lasted more than three hours. Starter Roy Oswalt did not sparkle in his last tune-up before the regular season, but the Phillies won the game 8-5 before a crowd of 42,000+. The few regulars in the game were soon out of it and taking part in a night of fun and games at the ballpark. Shane Victorino was playing with kids in the Fun Zone. Cliff Lee was hanging out on Ashburn Alley. Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco worked some concession stands, while Utley and Lidge bartended at the Diamond Club. Roy Halladay dropped by one of the luxury boxes while Cole Hamels let his fingers do the walking, making random calls to fans. Two lucky kids got to spend a couple of innings sitting out in the bullpen.
It was a chilly night but it was dry. Today, maybe not so much. Friday, worse. Saturday, even less promising. Let's hope the weather forecasts are wrong.
Brad Lidge will be out at least three to six weeks with a partial tear of the rotator cuff. Jose Contreras will close in his absence, keeping Madson in his usual set-up role, at least for now.
