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McNabb Pitching Injuries Scoring Salary Playoffs Trades Superbowl
Is this guy for real ?
Published: August 19, 2009
I believe. After his last start I commented on how fortuitous it was that Phillies acquired Cliff Lee, rather than Roy Halladay right before the trade deadline. I commented on how good Cliff had been in his first three starts. I thought I was glowing in my praise. I tend to be emotional about these things; like most Philadelphia fans I wear my heart on my sleeve.
But, man, I think I may have understated this guys value to the team. I mean really, the only thing left for him to do to one up himself would be throw a no hitter or perfect game. There, let’s see him make that an understatement ! That’s right, the Phillies won again. This time, there was no need for offense. Lee pitched a complete game, his second in four starts since the trade, and had 11 strikeouts and allowed 2 hits and 1 unearned run. He needed only 106 pitches. He threw 81 strikes and faced 2 batters over the minimum.
WOW
WOW
Had to wow him twice, can you believe some other team let him go ! He is now 4-0 with a .82 ERA, 2 complete games, and 5 hits for a .385 average. Why was this guy in the American League ? Lee is a bona fide staff ace. And his batting average is better than most DH’s. It’s a shame he hasn’t hit a home run yet, though, you know what every other sports writer is saying about the Phillies, weak on closers and rely on the long ball too much to contend into October. Really ? Don’t need a closer with a pitcher like this. Don’t need much of anything really. If he is good for 9 near perfect innings and gets on base twice to boot, he should win ALL his games.
Oh, by the way, the Phitens banged four more out of there, I don’t know about you, but I love home runs. I still have one I caught off the bat of my favorite Phillie, Mike Schmidt, when they went all the way in 1980. I got it signed and everything. I have since moved six times, and still have that ball. Howard is insane in September and October. I mentioned in a previous blog, the Phillies could become the first team in history to have 5 guys with 30, they are almost a lock to have 4 guys with40 at their current pace. It is crunch time now and the Phillies seem to be hitting their stride beautifully. It is going to be a fun fall.
I, for one, plan on watching every game. And here is hoping I get out to the park and catch another dinger. I will proudly display it right next to Schmitty’s and maybe, just maybe, the name on it will read Cliff Lee !
