What Phillies lefthander Cliff Lee called the “never-ending chess match” of hitter vs. pitcher goes to a different level tonight in the National League division series.

Lee will pitch against Colorado righthander Ubaldo Jimenez for the second time in six days. Facing the same team in consecutive starts presents a strategic question for each pitcher.

Should he plan to make significant changes, or follow the same approach?

“They’re going to watch the video of the last game and make adjustments,” Lee said last night. “They’d be a fool not to. That’s the nature of this game. If you’re not making adjustments, you’re losing ground.”

This situation rarely arises during the regular season.

Jimenez faced the same team in consecutive starts three times this season. In the rematches, he went 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA.


Click here to read the full article – By Gerry Fraley of philly.com

Below are links to memorabilia available for Cliff Lee.

24 August 2009: Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee (34) during the Phillies 6-2 win over the Mets at Citi Field in Flushing, NY.

Pressure? Cliff Lee has seen pressure, and starting Game 1 of the National League Division Series today for the Phillies isn’t it.

Pressure for Lee came eight years ago as he watched Jaxon, his 4-month-old son, hooked up to an IV, with tubes dangling everywhere, not knowing if he was going to survive.

Lee and his wife, Kristen, had just heard the devastating diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). They were told Jaxon had about a 30 percent chance to live.

Four months later, those chances diminished further when Jaxon suffered a relapse. He had a growth behind his eye that required radiation. He needed a stem cell blood transplant from a donated umbilical cord.


Click here to read the full article – By MARTIN FRANK of The News Journal

Cliff Lee has never pitched in the postseason, which is something he has mentioned a few times since he joined the Phillies in July.

The Phillies are eager for him to experience the playoffs, too. It is why they sent four prospects to the Cleveland Indians on July 29 for him and outfielder Ben Francisco. They consider Lee, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, a talent capable of not only pitching well against the National League, but against the American League in a potential return to the World Series.

Lee has had mixed results in his career against the five AL teams that could reach the World Series, although he recently has enjoyed more success against them.

Click here to read the full article – By Todd Zolecki of MLB.com

Philadelphia Phillies Sports Memorabilia
and other Philadelphia Phillies Gifts and Collectibles