Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
April 25, 2008
Streaking Lee

Cliff Lee extended his scoreless inning streak to twenty one Thursday night as he blanked the Royals in game two of the double header, completing a sweep for the Tribe. Lee lowered his league leading ERA to 0.28 and has struck out 29 in 31 2/3 innings while walking just two. Oakland holds the honor of scoring the only earned run off Cliff this season.

Hitters cannot square up the ball against Lee. According to The Hardball Times, only 8.2% of balls in play against Lee were line drives. The average is around 20%, and Lee ranged between 15 and 21% over the previous four seasons. His ground balls are up, from about 35% to about 45%, and that's making it easy for the Cleveland fielders.

Lee is being realistic about the streak:

"It doesn't matter what I've done, I still have to get ready for my next start," Lee said after extending his road scoreless streak to 23 2/3 innings. "I'm not stupid enough to think I'm going to keep going out there and not give up any runs. I just have to prepare and do the best I can."

Did he feel tired, going into the ninth?

"No, I felt better as the game went on. My stuff and location improved."

Lee's brilliance was not lost upon Bannister.

"That guy's got Nintendo numbers," Bannister said. "I'm not being sarcastic ... that guy is the hottest pitcher on the planet."

Indians fans, what is Lee doing differently this season?


Posted by David Pinto at 08:24 AM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Damned if we know. But we'll take it.

Posted by: cw at April 25, 2008 08:57 AM

I know exactly what he's done. He's locating the ball again, and when he misses, it's been in good places. His fastball has been crisp (90-92 MPH instead of 87-89 MPH) and all over the corners. And finally he's got control of his curve back!

Posted by: Greg at April 25, 2008 10:22 AM

The way he's pitching, I think I may take a trip to Cleveland next week. He's so hot, he could pitch a perfecto, or at least a no-hitter.

Posted by: Devon Young at April 25, 2008 12:25 PM

So much of pitching success is confidence and having your head on straight. Last year he was lost out there. The look on his face usually betrayed his lack of confidence in his stuff. He'd walk a guy then groove a pitch . . . . .

Posted by: largebill at April 25, 2008 02:46 PM
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