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Lee’s First Task Back: Prevent Sweep Against Mets

Erik Seybold Sports Editor

Published09 May 2012

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(Photo: Philliedelphia/Lindsey Crew)

Thank you, baseball Gods.

Cliff Lee (0-1, 1.96 ERA) is back from his DL stint with a strained oblique and he is back in the rotation. Lee will make his first start since April 18 when he tossed 10 scoreless innings – yes 10. Remember that? – against the San Francisco Giants. Lee wound up with the no-decision and a strained oblique as the Phillies lost that game. Kyle Kendrick filled in for Lee three times, the Phillies losing all three of those games.

The Phillies really do need Cliff Lee back on the hill. It's been a roller coaster first month of baseball. At first, the offense was lethargic and the pitching was holding the team up. Now the bats are awoken and the pitching is faltering. The Phillies have lost the first two games against the Mets in this series. Both after having a tie game and a lead then letting the bullpen blow the game.

The Phillies will need Cliff Lee to go deep into the game, but not too deep to a point where he is injured again. Lee is 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA in four career starts against the Mets as Mets players are hitting only .170 (9-for-53) against Lee in their careers.

The Phils' offense will take on righty Dillon Gee (2-2, 4.50 ERA) tonight. Gee is looking to give the Mets the sweep as well as working through the lineup quickly. Gee didn't figure in the decision in his last start as he allowed two earned runs on four hits through six innings against the D-backs. In his career, Gee is 2-1 with a 7.85 ERA in four games (three starts) against the Phillies.

Bullpen Crisis:

Worth noting for you guys, as I'm sure you already know this by now. This bullpen is crap right now. In the last 15 games, the Phillies' bullpen is posting a a 7.19 ER after posting a 2.01 ERA through its first 14 appearances this season. These starting pitchers can't be throwing complete games and throwing 105+ pitches every game because they know the bullpen could just throw their great game to waste in little than 10 pitches. The Phillies' offense is also going to have to start hitting the ball when it matters most.

WEATHER: There is a chance tonight's game may be rained out or have a delay or two during it. If so, than most of this article was for nothing…Anyway, we'll keep you updated.

Tonight's Lineup vs Mets: