Lee Nearly Perfect in Debut

Friday: Phils 5, Giants 1

Fittingly, the Phils saved their first win since acquiring Cliff Lee for when he was on the mound. After the Phils dropped 2 straight for the first time since (inconceivably) July 2nd, Cliff Lee took the mound with all the pressure and spotlight of, say, a playoff game against a likely contender for the Phils come October. This was the exact type of situation they brought him in for:

Can he be a stopper when they are losing? Can he beat a playoff caliber team with all eyes on him? The answer was a resounding affirmative. Not only did he carry a no-hitter late in the game, Lee managed 2 hits, a run-- and was robbed of a 3rd hit on a great play by Giant LF Velez.

Saturday's game: Giants 2, Phils 0

I realize it is almost impossible to conclude who the best pitcher in baseball is, but in my book it's Tim Lincecum. I felt that way before he blanked one of the top offenses in the league today, ours, and I feel it even more pertinently now. The guy is awesome.

Meanwhile, Blanton lost, undeservedly. Has anyone noticed that he has been our most reliable starting pitcher since May? Blanton is 6-2 since May 9th and had an ERA of 1.21 in July! Even more amazingly, since May 21st, he's given up more than 3 runs in a game only once -- and it was only 4 runs (on June 18th).

Meanwhile, a comment on this blog aptly pointed out that my last entry forecasted Brett Myers instead of Joe Blanton in the Phillies rotation next year. This was a valid insight worth discussing. Will Blanton be a Philly next year? I can't imagine that-- based on his terrific and instrumental contribution last season and post-season, as well as in 2009-- that they won't face some competition to re-sign him, as this is a one-year contract year for him (The Phils are 20-12 in Blanton's 32 starts with their club). However, assuming they can secure him and that he wants to continue this joy ride-- after all, the Phils are World Series contenders in both of his first two years, he probably thinks this is normal-- the rotation could thrillingly look like this:

1) Cole Hamels 2) Cliff Lee 3) Joe Blanton 4) J.A. Happ 5) Kyle Drabek

That's right, I see the Pedro starting pitching experiment as just that-- an experiment. Furthermore, I see through it. It's Chan Ho Park all over again. They gave Park the 5th spot in the rotation because he pitched great in preseason and because he sees himself in that role. In reality, as I was quick to proclaim when they got him, his ERA as a starter since 2002 is over 12. Contrastingly, as a Dodger last year he was very effective in the bullpen. The Phillies knew that, and they also knew it was win-win to give him a chance to start. If he succeeded, great. If not, they got what they now have: Park back to his effective middle relief role and a rested Happ shining without burning out his young and under-enduring arm (they didn't need another Kyle Kendrick of '08).

With Pedro, they have a closer if Lidge cant get straight (though none of us want to admit that). Pedro was very effective in that role in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic. So, the Phillies are smart and are keeping their options close-- not just in Pedro, but in their other famed starter currently on the DL, Brett Myers. We all know he was the closer in '07 and enjoyed the hype and hoopla that went along with it (coming onto field in mass fan hysteria, just his style). So, the Phils have Pedro and Myers as potential closers come September. Here's hoping that # 54 regains his old form before then. Lidge will always be legend here, rightfully, one of the greats... and, oh yeah, he is signed for 2 more years!