Fangraphs: There Are No Words to Describe Lee
0.38 BB/9, 12.75 K/9, and 0.38 HR/9 through three starts, good for a 0.91 FIP. It’s not like he’s getting all that lucky on home runs either – his xFIP is 1.34. This is Pedro-in-his-prime stuff, but he’s doing it against the best teams in the best league in games that are basically do-or-die. If there have been better performances in playoff history, they aren’t that much better, and they probably didn’t come back to back to back. This is a legend in the making.
over 1 year ago
t ball
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Comments
Agree
This is a legend in the making.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
and the ump was screwing him all night long
with his bizarre erratic strike zone and it didn’t matter…
Go Rice Owls!
I agree
some of the other games in the playoffs have been far worse, there weren’t too many bad calls last night.
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
I guess my anxiety level was particularly high
with the tight score. So every inside pitch called a strike on Vlad and not on Teixeira in that long at bat he had got me bouncing off walls
Go Rice Owls!
Last night
I was far less anxious than I could ever have believed in such a tight game. Lee was so in control I just didn’t worry.
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
I've been traumatized by the Yankees to have been confident in that game
I refused to even acknowledge it was over until they scored their 4th run or so in the 9th. My wife kept saying “it’s over! they can’t hit your guy” even at 2-0, and I wouldn’t accept it. I’ve watched too many Yankee playoff games to ever be comfortable.
Go Rice Owls!
"Your guy"?????
What’s with this wife of yours who can’t get on board and say “our guy”????
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
My concern was that the ump wasn't calling the edges...
and driving up Cliff Lee’s pitch count. Perhaps I was wrong, because 13 strikeouts alone will drive up the pitch count unless you are striking out people 0-2 and 1-2.
There were some calls he got wrong
but mostly right at the borders of the strike zone. I’d like those strike calls for Cliff Lee, but its not shocking those were called balls.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
He likes it!!!!

"Back in Irish's day you had to kill a man before you were taken seriously in polite society." - Aquaman56 06/25/10
by Samuel_L_Bronkowitz on Oct 19, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Such a waste of time to post pics like this
"I fully expect to lose tonight" -- LSJ
by Dirk Diggler on Oct 19, 2010 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
that's....amazing
There are no pitches in a huge swatch of the middle of the zone. That is astonishing command.
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
And he plays for the Texas Rangers.
"Drinks are on me if Lewis posts >168IP and an era lower than 3.86." by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2010 12:36 PM PST
this could not be said enough
"He recently scored as high as an 8.5 on the Ryin A Scale of Douchebaggery." -Ryan A on the douchebag that is Kevin Millar
by TagDon'tTweet on Oct 19, 2010 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm a sucker for greatness
but I have very high standards for it. It isn’t enough for someone to have Cliff Lee’s April and May for me to call him great.
But what he has done in the playoffs, given the stakes and the competition, is just unreal. I think part of the difference between very good and great is the stage upon which you are acting.
Go Rice Owls!
And what are Ranger fans saying?
"Back in Irish's day you had to kill a man before you were taken seriously in polite society." - Aquaman56 06/25/10
by Samuel_L_Bronkowitz on Oct 19, 2010 12:30 PM CDT reply actions
Should have sent a poet
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Did you call the hypothetical hardware store and buy a theoretical chain saw?
we have a goet, that's way better
"Drinks are on me if Lewis posts >168IP and an era lower than 3.86." by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2010 12:36 PM PST
by jam0152 on Oct 19, 2010 1:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
This seems like a good enough place to discuss this topic: Lee's pitch count
Much was being made of Lee being over 120 pitches and Wash possibly sending him back out for the 9th. But I wonder, does that really even matter with Lee?
Nolan is celebrated for racking up giant pitch counts without any ill effects, but it’s generally agreed that he was a physical and mechanical freak who could get away with it, while other pitchers cannot.
I wonder if Lee is much closer to being a Nolan Ryan type of pitcher than he is a guy who needs to be carefully watched on his pitch count. Even though he was at 122 after the 8th and that’s a number that, independent of other factors, scares you, he seemed to be just as fresh and deadly in the 8th as he was early on. I’m not so sure that Lee couldn’t throw 120-130 pitches with regularity and not have any ill effects.
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
I see your point, but...
I don’t think it is a matter of whether Lee could pitch more pitches… but he hasn’t. You can’t go out and just run a marathon… you have to build up mileage over several months or you are going to hurt yourself. That being said… most people never run more than 20 miles for a marathon. The last 6.2 miles is adrenaline.
I feel ya'
I think a large variable in pitch counts is leverage/intensity and mechanics, and I think Wash and Stache know that. So, being that Lee has almost perfect mechanics by all accounts, and he did not pitch in any high leverage situations last night, I would have been happy to send him back out there.
Not that last night is a blueprint for any other start, mind you.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
But here is a thought
every game this post-season has been on extra rest, if I’m not mistaken. I believe the numbers show that Lee is extra good on a day or two extra.
Now, if there is a Game 7, he’ll be on normal rest. He’ll be great, I’m sure. But you don’t want to push him to the limit in any case, because the last thing you want to do is jeopardize his performance if needed on Saturday.
Go Rice Owls!
Agreed, which is why I am glad he didn't go out for the ninth...
Not to mention the fact that the Rangers enlarged the lead. I think throwing 135-140 pitches could make it tough to recover for the next start.
I think going much beyond 120
is foolish. It might or might not affect Lee long term, but why risk it? After that many pitches a guy starts to tire and lose effectiveness at some point and you’re better off bringing in Feliz or another reliever.
When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.
I agree with this.
May not have any kind of effect in the short or long term, but I don’t risk it.
He’s what, 32? I really doubt there’s a lot of risk of a long term injury. But there could easily be a carryover effect to his next start and you don’t want that.
Plus he had back problems not that long ago.
by Black Francis on Oct 19, 2010 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I have no problems with the 9th inning
in the postseason only. Never in the regular season (well, unless he is looking at maybe finishing around 135 and a perfect game / no hitter is on the line).
Good thoughts by all above
I definitely don’t advocate pushing him above 120 regularly just for kicks and grins, but I think he’s a guy who, if you needed him to go 130 because it’s a close game and you don’t trust your ’pen, he could do it without creating a giant risk of him breaking down in a few years.
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
Me too, JoePos waxing philosophical about Cliff Lee is beautiful prose
The greatest sportswriter covering the greatest topic in baseball? Wonderful.
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
Indeed.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Oct 19, 2010 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Greatest day in Rangers history
Surprisingly (I havent checked in 30 or so minutes so it may have changed), I think most of it is on topic.
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
by the time I logged onto LSB for the first time today....
…the morning thread was about 400 long. I haven’t even tried to wade through it.
I'm convinced.
Cliff’s…pretty good.
"Look at our current situation with that camel f$%ker over in Iraq. Pacifism is not something to hide behind."
So iz yer beer
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
gratzi
the new batch – a Brooklyn Lager clone – will be ready to enjoy tomorrow!
"Look at our current situation with that camel f$%ker over in Iraq. Pacifism is not something to hide behind."
by Walter Sobchak on Oct 19, 2010 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I still need to try some of that
I finished off my last Boulevard Single Wide IPA last night…sucks that I got it on sale for $7/6 pack and I didn’t buy more.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
you'll be OK
great beer values pop up everywhere and there’s no need to settle on just one
have you tried Green Flash’s West Coast IPA yet?
"Look at our current situation with that camel f$%ker over in Iraq. Pacifism is not something to hide behind."
by Walter Sobchak on Oct 19, 2010 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmm

In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
In his defense, you are a retarded cuntbag by LiamP on Mar 4, 2010
by boomer1 on Oct 19, 2010 1:38 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs
So, will Cliff Lee Blvd. run parallel with or perpendicular to Nolan Ryan Expy?
by ILikePizza on Oct 19, 2010 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Cliff Lee should get an entire highway
or maybe a walkway over I-30…but no one gets to use it
by kevinkinsler on Oct 19, 2010 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 8 recs
I see what you did there
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
Fuck Cervelli!
JeffWilson_FWST Yankees lineup: Jeter, ss; Granderson, cf; Teixeira, 1b; Rodriguez, 3b; Cano, 2b; Swisher, rf; Berkman, dh; Gardner, lf; Cervelli, c.
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
In his defense, you are a retarded cuntbag by LiamP on Mar 4, 2010
Perhaps the Rangers won't walk that guy 5 straight times tonight...
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 19, 2010 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions
JeffWilson_FWST Rangers lineup: Andrus, ss; Young, 3b; Hamilton, cf; Guerrero, dh; Cruz, rf; Kinsler, 2b; Murphy, lf; Molina, c; Moreland, 1b.
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
In his defense, you are a retarded cuntbag by LiamP on Mar 4, 2010
That should be the lineup for the rest of the postseason IMO
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Oct 19, 2010 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Yessir
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
The only reason that guy
is starting is because of the Rangers running game (i know, i know…obvious). It is always nice when the other team is having to adjust to YOUR game.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Oct 19, 2010 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
He and Posada don't get along, either.
I don’t like having Cervilli in there, he can actually throw down to second base.
I've been trying to convince my family of the magic of cumin. They won't listen to me. It makes almost everything better.- PhilKid3, 8/16/2010.
True
I still think you see Wash put some guys in motion to test him a bit. AJ Burnett doesnt seem to hold runners close plus his CB is very erratic which could make for some hard balls for Cervelli to handle.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Oct 19, 2010 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh he will
Wash will have them AFU by the 3rd inning :D
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Yankee fans actually tend to see him
as a personal catcher for Burnett. They predicted this would be his one and only game back last week.
Buster Olney's morning column discussion of how Big Stein would have reacted was pretty solid
I miss The Boss
I was standing next to a longtime Yankees employee as the Rangers finished off Lee’s masterpiece on Monday night, and asked him this question: “What would George have done after a game like this?”
He burst out laughing, because he knew, from first-hand experience, that George Steinbrenner would have gone crazy. “He would have fired some people tonight,” said the employee.
It would not have mattered to The Boss that Lee pitched so well; in fact, his rage would have been fueled by the knowledge that the Yankees had come so close to getting Lee in July and didn’t get that proposed deal across the finish line. Steinbrenner would have demanded a midnight meeting with GM Brian Cashman and his staff and barked about how the Yankees were becoming a national embarrassment (which was always one of his lines). He would have threatened, he would have cajoled.
After the Yankees’ ninth-inning meltdown, he would have second-guessed Joe Girardi for not bringing in Mariano Rivera to pitch the ninth. Steinbrenner would have snapped at Girardi over the phone, over his decision to start Phil Hughes in Game 2, and insisted — one more time — to reassess whether starting A.J. Burnett in Game 4 was a good idea. He would have talked about reassigning hitting coach Kevin Long. He would have put out a statement like this: “Starting Burnett is Joe Girardi’s decision, and he’ll have to live with it.”
He would’ve issued a press release apologizing to the fans for the one-sided loss. He would have offered ticket refunds. He would have questioned the heart of his players. He would have cut an employee dental plan.
A loss like this, to a pitcher he would have coveted, would have gnawed at him.
For the readers: In the comments or mailbag, give us your best example of how Steinbrenner would’ve responded to the Yankees’ Game 3 one-sided loss.
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
Steinbrenner
would have bitten the head off a Derek Jeter bobblehead.
LSJ (on Dallas Braden): I know him, and I think he's a psychotic lowlife.
Braden's grandmother: And I think calling him that is an insult to the psychotic lowlife community.
Heh!
“I’m reading books and writing down stuff — ‘Be more like Cliff Lee, be more like Cliff Lee,’ " Wilson said.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Would it blow Cj's mind if if were told "you gotta move to Arkansas to complete your training"?
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
I don't like that Cliff Lee is dead in this analogy.
(I wonder who will be the first to register ghostOfCliffLee.)
Cliff Lee was the first to do it, that's fucking who.
Once you get to a World Series with a team, that in itself is hard to do. There's something special about that group of guys any time you get there, and especially if you win it, you want to come back with the same guys and do it again.-- Me, Cliff Lee.
by ghostofCliffLee on Oct 19, 2010 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions
this is aggressive
"He recently scored as high as an 8.5 on the Ryin A Scale of Douchebaggery." -Ryan A on the douchebag that is Kevin Millar
by TagDon'tTweet on Oct 19, 2010 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions





























