Texas Rangers: Five Reasons Cliff Lee Will Not Help Them in the Playoffs
When the Texas Rangers slipped in and made the deal for left-hander Cliff Lee, stealing him right out from under the New York Yankees, Ranger fans and players couldn't have been more excited.
They were getting a guy that was a proven winner not only during the season, but also in the playoffs.
However, that's not what they've gotten. Through 11 starts, Lee is 2-5 with a 4.69 ERA and has been nothing short of awful over his last five starts, giving up a combined 25 runs in those starts.
He's also struggled against two potential first round playoff opponents, Tampa Bay and Minnesota.
It's easy to look back now and call Lee a bust. I will admit that I wasn't sold on this trade from the beginning but wasn't completely against it because of his postseason track record.
With his struggles, there has been more and more doubt planted in the minds of fans and the Dallas media, but there are also those that will defend him tooth and nail.
Here are five reasons Lee won't be able to help the Rangers come playoff time.
Career Numbers Aren't Good at Rangers Ballpark
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In 12 career starts (79 IP) at Rangers Ballpark, Lee is 5-5 with a 5.92 ERA and has given up nine career home runs there.
So far this season, through six starts (46.2 IP), Lee is 2-2 with a 3.66 ERA and has given up five of those nine career home runs this season alone.
Struggled Against Possible Playoff Teams
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Looking at starts against possible playoff opponents Tampa Bay, Minnesota, and the New York Yankees, his numbers aren't great.
Against Tampa Bay: Lee is winless in three starts (23.2 IP) with a 4.56 ERA.
Against Minnesota: Lee is winless in two starts (13 IP) with a 4.15 ERA.
Against the Yankees: Lee is 1-0 through two starts (15.1 IP) with a 4.11 ERA.
Giving Up Too Many Home Runs
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In 231.2 combined innings pitched last season, Lee gave up 17 home runs between playing for the Cleveland Indians and the Philadelphia Phillies. He gave up 10 with the Indians and another seven with the Phillies.
So far this season, through 184.1 innings pitched with the Seattle Mariners and the Rangers, 47.1 innings fewer than 2009, Lee has given up 15 home runs, 10 of which have come since being traded to Texas.
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Post-All-Star Numbers Are the Worst Since 2004
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Through Lee's career, his post-All-Star numbers have been more than respectable, most years keeping an ERA under 4.00 and a few years under 3.00.
His worst post-All-Star numbers came during the 2004 season with the Indians, when he finished with a 5-7 record through 15 starts and a 7.91 ERA.
For the last five seasons, with exception to 2007, where he made just three post-All-Star starts, Lee was solid down the stretch. However, 2010 has shown a different story.
In 10 post-All-Star starts, Lee is 2-4 with a 4.52 ERA.
Very Little Career Playoff Experience
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I hear a certain Dallas radio station talking about how "brilliant" Cliff Lee has been in the playoffs, but apparently they hadn't done any research on that before saying it.
Lee made his first playoff appearance with the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2009. Regardless of the fact that he went unbeaten (4-0), two of those wins came against the Dodgers and Rockies, who are not the same offenses that he may face in the American League playoffs this season.
When he faced National League opponents, he shut them down with ease. But through two starts in the World Series against the Yankees, Lee gave up six runs through 16 combined innings.
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