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Health & Fitness

Anyone complaining about Cliff Lee this afternoon?

At the end of the day, I understand the complaints that Lee makes a lot of money and needs to deliver the goods on a more consistent basis, but the guy hasn't been Andy Ashby, either.

Cliff Lee tricked everybody Monday night by firing seven shutout innings against the Dodgers. Cliff Lee isn’t an ace, though, and he pretty much got lucky.

 If I ran the Phillies, well, I would research ways to trade him while some shmuck general manager actually believes he can still be a top-flight pitcher.

Obviously, his 10 strikeouts, nasty curveball, and pinpoint control were all just an aberration. Plus, he gave up like three hits to Jamie Carroll, and at the end of the day that’s just not good enough. So what if Lee has a proven track record of success? So what if he’s been historically sensational in the postseason? I don’t care. He couldn’t get Carroll out–don’t know about you, but it tells me all I need to know.

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And…and…Lee was 4-5 over the first two months of the season, and really, nothing else matters. I can definitively say after only 13 starts that this was a horrible signing. Instead, I would have gotten Bartolo Colon because he is a savvy veteran who is 3-3 with an ERA under 4.00, too. And he cost like a million dollars. He can do just as well as Lee. You know?

Idiots.

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Lee sent a clear message this evening by way of a sensational performance that he’s still an elite pitcher, even if he has been off to a bit of an inconsistent start.

Now, a hater might respond by kindly reminding me that the Dodgers can’t hit. And I might respond by kindly  reminding such a person that the Dodgers dropped 20 runs over the last two days. So there's that.

All of this means that Lee evened his record at 5-5, lowered his ERA to 3.62, and recorded his 100th strikeout of the season in the sixth inning after striking out the side.

Hey, real quick–quiz time. How many pitches are required to strike out the side? If you answered nine, you win.

Now…here’s another question. How many pitches did it take Lee to strike out the side in the sixth tonight? If you answered 27 because Cliff Lee stinks and he’s inefficient with his pitches–you lose. And you’re an idiot.

Try 10. 10 glorious pitches, all of which were strikes.

Look, will Lee have another bad game this season? You’re  damn right he will. But will he have many more like this one tonight? Bet on it.

At the end of the day, I understand the complaints that Lee makes a lot of money and needs to deliver the goods on a more consistent basis, but the guy hasn’t been Andy Ashby, either.

He’s gone at least seven innings without allowing a run and striking out ten in two of his last four starts, so if you’re disappointed in him right now, make sure you are also disappointed when he’s blowing away National League offenses circa October 16th.

Thanks.

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