Lee lifts Phillies' postseason hopes

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies have been quick to remind people recently that nothing is guaranteed.

They might have a comfortable seven-game lead over the Marlins in the National League East with 20 games to play, but the Mets blew a seven-game lead with 17 to play in 2007.

But there is reason for the Phillies to feel good about their chances. Their rotation has improved considerably since the Trade Deadline thanks to the July 29 addition of left-hander Cliff Lee through a six-player trade with the Indians.

Phillies at a glance 2009 record: 93-69 2008 record: 92-70 NL East champs NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Information WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Madson: Back in business • Werth: Heart of the order • Rollins: Awaiting breakout • Focus: One game at a time • Manuel: Mix & match • Howard: Ready for lefties • Stairs: Shot reverberates • Manuel: New rules for 'pen • Blanton: Arm around team • Pedro: Return to spotlight • Ibanez: Eyes on prize • Rollins: '07 irrelevant • Lidge: Still an option • Lidge: Killer cutter • Roster: Mulling options • Ibanez: Perfect fit • Hamels: Path of the pros • Amaro: Bold decisions • Pedro: Elated to play part • Rollins: No more predictions • Hamels: Back in business • Pitching: Staff in flux • Manuel: Keeps 'em focused • Hamels: Aims for dominance • Lineup: Imperfect but solid • Lee: Ready for playoff debut • Howard: The evolution • Rollins: Excelling on defense • Rotation: Not just big two • Manuel: Steady as she goes • Rollins: Eyes on '09 drama • Howard: The 'Big Piece' • Lee: Lifting Phils' hopes More Phillies coverage • Howard ties Gehrig's postseason RBI record Bats, Lee team up for rout in Game 3 Howard's RBI streak sets playoff mark Postseason going brilliant-Lee for lefty Blanton seeks return to clutch form Upbeat Moyer happy to rejoin club Phils rounding into title form Manuel committed to Lidge Cold temperatures will be a challenge Pedro brilliant, but Phils falter late in Game 2 Pedro masterful in return to big stage Utley at center of defensive struggles Phillies turn to Lee for Game 3 Phillies warmed by return to chilly home Bullpen woes return in Game 2 loss Bodley: Utley error opens door Phillies' power capitalizes on free passes Mix-and-match relief works vs. LA Phils edge Rockies for 2-1 NLDS lead Lidge finds redemption in crucial spot Umps admit missing call on Utley hit Given extra day, Phils to go with Happ Phillies glad to see Game 3 postponed Extra off-day alters clubs' options Winter-like weather forces Game 3 postponement Postponements a postseason tradition Myers feeling good after playoff outing Hamels to rejoin Phillies after birth of son Moyer in hospital with blood infection Phils rally, but must settle for split Clubs trade places for Game 3 Pedro, Blanton, Happ up for Game 3 nod Chilly reception awaits in Denver It's not sunny in Philadelphia for Hamels Hamels leaves to be with wife in labor Kalas still a presence in Phils' house Utley battling past late-season struggles Phillies, Rockies fill familiar roles Lee masterful in opening victory Phillies show patience, break through Running shoes put to good use Wind makes for wild afternoon Hamels unhappy with starting times Phils will use all bullpen options Avenging '07 not on Phils' minds Reserves shine in regular-season finale With loss, Phils plan ahead for NLDS Phils remain one back for home-field Phils fall game back for best record Phils clinch third straight NL East crown Eyeing historic postseason run NLDS opponent to be determined Phils power way closer to clinch Moyer exits game with left groin strain Manuel talks to Phils behind closed doors Phils hold on, lower magic number to 3 Walk-off slows Phils in Milwaukee Two mistakes cost Lee, Phillies dearly Pedro scratched, Kendrick to start Happ strong as Phillies pound Brewers After twin-bill split with Fish, Phils focus on finale Phils wait out rain, win finale over Braves Phils have hard road to repeat glory Manuel wants Phillies to turn it up a notch Finishing strong motivates Phillies Kendrick shines in first start Lidge endures roller-coaster week

Lee is 6-2 with a 3.11 ERA is eight starts with the Phillies. He started 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA but is 1-2 with a 9.60 ERA since, and is looking to return to form on Tuesday against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.

He was simply dazzling in his first five starts. In 40 innings overall, he has allowed 24 hits, six runs (three earned), six walks and zero home runs. He has struck out 39, and opponents have hit .175 against him.

"This game is not that easy. It's just not," Brad Lidge said. "It's pretty amazing. Not a whole lot of guys can say that they've done that over a five-game span. He's throwing eight different things for strikes, then he'll sneak 94 [mph] in there from the left side. He's throwing everything he wants to, basically, every single time. That kind of consistency is very hard to duplicate, no matter if you're in midseason form or not. It's just a lot harder to be that consistent than he's showing. Trust me. I've been trying to figure it out for a couple of months. It's hard to get locked in like that and be automatic on every pitch. It's impressive."

Those five outings made Lee just the second pitcher in the past 60 years to win his first five starts with a team and post an ERA of 1.00 or below. In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela had a 0.20 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Lee became the first Phillies pitcher to win his first five starts since Marty Bystrom in 1980. If he had won his sixth, he would have become the first Phillies pitcher to win that many since Al Orth did so en route to winning his first eight in 1895.

Lee has struggled recently, but he allowed just four earned runs in seven innings last week against the Nationals after giving up 12 earned runs in eight innings in his previous two starts.

Maybe that is a sign he is turning things around. The Phillies hope so. They will need him in the postseason, assuming they get there.

"When you pitch as good as he has since he's been over here, sooner or later you're going to have a tough night," manager Charlie Manuel said. "That's kind of how baseball is. That's the way it goes sometimes. Things don't always happen good."