Cliff Lee To The Phillies: Wrong Pitcher in The Wrong Park?

Well, I think I may be the only one and that might mean I'm wrong, However I think they got the wrong pitcher. I also think that Lee may hurt them more then help.

First lets talk about his FB ratio it's not a pretty number. Considering the Indians Rank 6th in HR as a team in the ML and Progressive field gives up the fewest HR lets not kid ourselves that his HR totals were not helped by playing in that field. My best guess? A lot of those fly balls find themselves in the hands of Phillie fans

Next lets talk about pitching in the offensively challenged Central division. Except for a couple of nice gems against both STL (playoff foe?) and Toronto his best games have come against some of the more weaker hitting teams. Yes I include a bad Boston line-up in that, and a very bad lefty hitting Pittsburgh team.

Which brings me to my last concern. His lefty/righty splits. Lee has shut down left handed hitter this season a .216 avg and only an OPS of .507. Impressive. Looking at the other side of the coin and we find a .303 AVG and .771 OPS against righthanded hitters. That does not spell good things against some of the more right handed heavy playoff bound teams.

On the bright side he gets the Phillies offense to support him and he gets to play the Mets and Nat's. Right now both those teams look better then even the Royals to a pitcher.

So all in all I think Lee going from a pitcher friendly park to a TV box stadium like Citizen Bank Park may have just brought Lee back to the .500 pitcher he really may be.

You get what you pay for and the prospects the Phillies gave up scream .500 pitcher.Lets just hope Phillie fans aren't screaming and kicking when the Phillies make a quick exit this fall.