Some notes about Cliff Lee's performance this season

PBR - Looking at Cliff Lee's Fangraph's page during tonight's contest, I wanted to touch on some numbers that stood out:

• His home runs allowed per start is up 61% this season compared to 2011.
• His BABIP against is .317, the highest in his career. His career BABIP against is .296.
• Lastly, his Ground Ball Rate (49.3%) is nearly 10% higher than his career average and 3% higher than last year.

I also looked back at each of his starts and used Bill James' Game Score statistic to see how each of his performances compared to the opposition.

For those unfamiliar with Game Score, the statistic is derived using the following steps:

1. Start with 50 points.
2. Add 1 point for each out recorded, so 3 points for every complete inning pitched.
3. Add 2 points for each inning completed after the 4th.
4. Add 1 point for each strikeout.
5. Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed.
6. Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed.
7. Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed.
8. Subtract 1 point for each walk.

Take a  look at the image below showing Game Scores on the season for Lee and opposing starters:

If nothing else, the graph shows that Lee has been a mediocre pitcher this season - nothing more, nothing less. He's pitched to the level of his competition.  Sure, the offense has sputtered and he's been snake bitten by an unreliable bullpen, but it isn't as if he's went out and tossed several gems that were coughed up.

Yes, Lee has encountered some bad luck this season, but what pitcher hasn't? 

Sometimes a pitcher has to do more with less to succeed. So far this season, Lee hasn't done that.