Cliff Lee Is A Big Game Pitcher

Last night Cliff Lee pitched a complete game shutout as the Phillies won a big series opener against the San Francisco Giants. As good as Madison Bumgarner was for the Giants, Cliff Lee was that much better for the Phillies as he cruised to his 11th victory of the year. The dominating performance last night is not the only big game Lee has come through in.

In the 2009 post season, Lee gave up just 2 earned runs in 3 starts between the NLDS and NLCS. In the World Series Lee was 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA and was the Phillies only answer against the Yankees. Last year Lee was again dominant for the Texas Rangers giving up just 2 earned runs in 3 starts between the ALDS and ALCS.

So far this year Lee has been a great starting pitcher for the Phillies. He made the All-Star team, he is 11-7 with a 2.96 ERA, and he put together an amazing June in which he went 5-0 and only surrendered 1 run in 42 innings of work. But I think the best is yet to come for Lee who in my mind thrives off the pressure filled post season games of October.

Last night was a game with a playoff type atmosphere and Lee got it done. He used the pressure of the game as fuel to perform at an extremely high level. Last night's victory is going to be the beginning of a long stretch of dominant outings. Lee is a second half pitchers who gets better as the year goes on.

It will be extremely fun to watch Lee in August and September and into the playoffs as Cliff Lee kicks it into another gear.