Cliff Lee didn't throw his bullpen session Thursday due to some mild abdominal soreness. The Phillies are understandably just playing things safe here, as neither Lee nor general manager Ruben Amaro are concerned. He should be good to go again soon. Lee is coming off a season where he posted a 2.40 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 238/42 K/BB ratio.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said both Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels are available in relief for Game 5 of the NLDS against the Cardinals on Friday night. Both are available, but Manuel said he would likely go with Lee first. Of course, the Phillies are hoping Roy Halladay won't need much help to finish off the Cardinals, as Lee would be in line to start Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday.

Cliff Lee said he'll be available out of the bullpen for Game 5 of the NLDS against the Cardinals if needed. Lee threw about 20 warm-up pitches in the pen during Game 4 but didn't enter the game. The Phillies surely would prefer to not use him since he'll be in line to pitch Game 1 of the NLCS if they advance, but all bets are off in an elimination game. Lee allowed five runs over six innings in the Game 2 loss to the Cardinals.

Cliff Lee is available out of the bullpen for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Cardinals on Wednesday. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel hinted at the possibility on Tuesday, so this doesn't come as a huge surprise. Lee threw 110 pitches in Sunday's loss, but Wednesday is his throw day. Roy Oswalt will start Game 4 against Edwin Jackson.

Cliff Lee could be available out of the bullpen for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Cardinals on Wednesday. Lee threw 110 pitches in Sunday's loss, but the Phillies have left open the possibility because Wednesday is his throw day. "That's an option for us," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. Roy Oswalt will start Wednesday's game whether the Phillies win or lose on Tuesday. Roy Halladay could pitch on short rest, but the Phillies want to save him for a potential deciding Game 5.

Cliff Lee surrendered five runs on two walks and 12 hits in six-plus innings in a 5-4 loss against the Cardinals in Game Two of the NLDS on Sunday. He struck out nine. The 12 hits allowed tied a career-high for Lee. He's now given up 15 runs over his last 17 postseason innings. Lee earned the "big-game pitcher" monicker by going 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his first eight postseason games, but he's since regressed toward the mean, posting an 0-3 record and a 7.13 ERA in his last three. Lee could have sustained more damage tonight, but was bailed out by the bullpen. Lee, who entered the seventh inning with more than 100 pitches thrown, gave up an Allen Craig triple, a run-scoring single to Albert Pujols and another single to Lance Berkman before getting yanked for Brad Lidge. The former closer wiggled from the no-out jam without allowing another run.

Cliff Lee held the Braves to two runs on five hits in six innings of a Phillies win Monday, improving to 17-8 in his final start of the regular season. Lee is at the end of a season even more dominant than his Cy Young award winning 2008. In 232 2/3 innings, he'll finish with a 2.40 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 238/42 K/BB ratio. The ERA is a career low, while the 238 strikeouts best his previous career high (set last season) by 53. He'll take the hill in game two of the NLDS.

Cliff Lee surrendered three runs -- two earned -- and 11 hits in seven innings Tuesday in a loss to the Nationals. It was an odd outing for Lee. While the Nationals notched 11 hits against the stud left-hander, including three extra-base hits, Lee struck out nine and walked none. For Lee and his owners, the outing was a relative disappointment, which speaks more to the pitcher's excellence than the actual result. Coming into the game, the lefty had unbelievably allowed a mere four earned runs over his last eight starts. He drops to 16-8 with a 2.38 ERA.

Cliff Lee nearly notched his seventh shutout of the season Thursday, allowing one run on five hits while striking out 12 in a 2-1 extra innings win over the Marlins. Lee retired the first two batters of the ninth inning and had an 0-2 count on Jose Lopez before the Marlins' first baseman shocked everyone by lifting a ball into the left-field seats to tie the game at 1-1. It was an unfortunate way for his start to end, but it doesn't diminish what has been a ridiculous streak that Lee has been on, as the lefty has unbelievably allowed a mere four earned runs over his last eight starts. He'll carry a 2.38 ERA and 1.02 WHIP into next week's start against the Nationals.

Cliff Lee breezed to his sixth shutout of the season on Monday, holding the Braves to just five hits in a 9-0 Phillies victory at home. He needed only 100 pitches to record his 27 outs. Lee is the first pitcher since Tim Belcher in 1989 to toss six shutouts in one season. Since August 1, he's allowed just two runs in 48 2/3 innings, which is good for a staggering 0.37 ERA. He's turned himself into one of the favorites for the National League's Cy Young award.