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If needed, Cliff Lee will be available out of the 'pen
Cliff Lee hasn't pitched out of the bullpen since 2007, the year before he turned into a Cy Young-winning starting pitcher.
All four of his relief appearances came in September of 2007, his last four games in a season that involved both injuries and a demotion to the minor leagues.
Lee allowed three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings that September. He struck out six and walked one.
But those stats and the very small sample size - he's thrown 1,641 2/3 career innings, all but those 5 2/3 as a starter - shouldn't be used to gauge just what Lee could provide if he's called upon to pitch out of the bullpen this month.
Beginning tonight, it's at least a possibility the Phillies could use their $120 million pitcher as a reliever.
Lee pitched on Sunday night and would normally throw a between-starts bullpen side session two or three days after a start.
Depending on if the Phils have to play a Game 5 on Friday, Lee wouldn't be needed to start a game until Sunday at the earliest. If the Phils avoid Game 5, he wouldn't be needed until Monday.
In a perfect world for the Phillies, Roy Oswalt will throw seven or eight shutout innings tonight and Charlie Manuel can turn to Ryan Madson, Antonio Bastardo and his normal bullpen arms.
But, Manuel almost sounded giddy to use Lee if the situation presents itself.
"He's available," Manuel said with a smile before Wednesday night's Game 4.
Manuel thinks Lee's temperament and personality lends to being just as effective as a reliever than in his normal, starting role.
"I think who he is and how he looks at things... it's give me the ball and get out of my way," Manuel said. "If he's uptight or anything, he doesn't show it. He thinks he can get everybody out. And when he talks, if you listen to him, he definitely holds himself responsible for everything he does. I think he's a good fit for the pen, really."
LINEUPS:
Phillies:
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Chase Utley, 2B
3. Hunter Pence, RF
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Shane Victorino, CF
6. Raul Ibanez, LF
7. Placido Polanco, 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz, C
9. Roy Oswalt
Cardinals:
1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Skip Schumaker, 2B
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Lance Berkman, RF
5. Matt Holliday, LF
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. David Freese, 3B
8. Jon Jay, CF
9 . Edwin Jackson, P
All four of his relief appearances came in September of 2007, his last four games in a season that involved both injuries and a demotion to the minor leagues.
Lee allowed three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings that September. He struck out six and walked one.
But those stats and the very small sample size - he's thrown 1,641 2/3 career innings, all but those 5 2/3 as a starter - shouldn't be used to gauge just what Lee could provide if he's called upon to pitch out of the bullpen this month.
Beginning tonight, it's at least a possibility the Phillies could use their $120 million pitcher as a reliever.
Lee pitched on Sunday night and would normally throw a between-starts bullpen side session two or three days after a start.
Depending on if the Phils have to play a Game 5 on Friday, Lee wouldn't be needed to start a game until Sunday at the earliest. If the Phils avoid Game 5, he wouldn't be needed until Monday.
In a perfect world for the Phillies, Roy Oswalt will throw seven or eight shutout innings tonight and Charlie Manuel can turn to Ryan Madson, Antonio Bastardo and his normal bullpen arms.
But, Manuel almost sounded giddy to use Lee if the situation presents itself.
"He's available," Manuel said with a smile before Wednesday night's Game 4.
Manuel thinks Lee's temperament and personality lends to being just as effective as a reliever than in his normal, starting role.
"I think who he is and how he looks at things... it's give me the ball and get out of my way," Manuel said. "If he's uptight or anything, he doesn't show it. He thinks he can get everybody out. And when he talks, if you listen to him, he definitely holds himself responsible for everything he does. I think he's a good fit for the pen, really."
LINEUPS:
Phillies:
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Chase Utley, 2B
3. Hunter Pence, RF
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Shane Victorino, CF
6. Raul Ibanez, LF
7. Placido Polanco, 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz, C
9. Roy Oswalt
Cardinals:
1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Skip Schumaker, 2B
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Lance Berkman, RF
5. Matt Holliday, LF
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. David Freese, 3B
8. Jon Jay, CF
9 . Edwin Jackson, P
posted by Ryan Lawrence at
4:34 PM
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