Cliff Lee

[Patrick Bateman]

Alright, as everyone knows, Lee is off to an incredible start and even won the first pitcher of the month award. He's started off well tonight, with 4 shutout innings against the Yankees.

In 5 starts, Lee has a line of:

5-0, 37 IP, 0.96 ERA
32 K, 2 BB, 1.10 GB/FB
.195 BAPIP, 2.6% HR/FB
1.78 FIP, 2.79 xFIP

As you can see, it hasn't just been a string of 5 really lucky starts or anything, as his peripherals check out. I find that type of transformation incredible, even if it is over just a small sample size. Obviously, this kind of production will not keep up, but the numbers are still exceedingly strong. But it's a pretty interesting turn-around from his last season struggles that were bad enough to merit a demotion to AAA.


Personally, I have never been a big Cliff Lee fan, though he was a reasonable pitcher during 2005 and 2006. Realistically, that's where I've always seen his ceiling settling in on, but it's hard to completely ignore gaudy numbers like that (even when limited to 5 starts). So my question is, has Lee taken a big step forward at age 30, or is he ready to go back to his "middle of the rotation" norm?

[jojo]

Alright, as everyone knows, Lee is off to an incredible start and even won the first pitcher of the month award. He's started off well tonight, with 4 shutout innings against the Yankees.

In 5 starts, Lee has a line of:

5-0, 37 IP, 0.96 ERA
32 K, 2 BB, 1.10 GB/FB
.195 BAPIP, 2.6% HR/FB
1.78 FIP, 2.79 xFIP

As you can see, it hasn't just been a string of 5 really lucky starts or anything, as his peripherals check out. I find that type of transformation incredible, even if it is over just a small sample size. Obviously, this kind of production will not keep up, but the numbers are still exceedingly strong. But it's a pretty interesting turn-around from his last season struggles that were bad enough to merit a demotion to AAA.


Personally, I have never been a big Cliff Lee fan, though he was a reasonable pitcher during 2005 and 2006. Realistically, that's where I've always seen his ceiling settling in on, but it's hard to completely ignore gaudy numbers like that (even when limited to 5 starts). So my question is, has Lee taken a big step forward at age 30, or is he ready to go back to his "middle of the rotation" norm?

As "Alan Parsons" once sang, "Time keeps flowing like a river" and Lee will eventually get wet with time....

[Matt700wlw]

I'd rather talk about Erin Andrews, personally

[fearofpopvol1]

Damn, well I thought for sure Volquez was going to lead the league with the lowest ERA after tonight, but I was wrong. Props to Lee shutting down the Yanks.

AK, I think he may have turned a corner. I don't think he'll be an elite pitcher, but I think it's entirely possible that he moved from a #5 type of pitcher to a #4 with a ceiling of a #3.

[Nugget]

I don't know we managed to watch the game last night and he has some very good stuff - and not only that he could throw it. He got himself out of some real jams by mixing the fast ball with a filthy sinker. The other thing is that Shoppach may just call him a good game too.