Cliff Lee is willing to pitch Game 4 of the World Series on short rest if Rangers manager Ron Washington asks him to.
↵↵↵"I'm willing to do whatever they want me to do,'' Lee said. "If they think it will help the team win, I'll do it, whether it's short rest, extra rest, whatever. When they want me to pitch, I'll be ready, go out there and try to give the team a chance to win.''
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If Lee does start Game 4 of the World Series, it would mark the first time in his career that he'd start on short rest. Lee would also be starting on short rest on the heels of his worst start in his postseason career.
↵Lee starting Game 4 would mean Tommy Hunter has his start pushed back to Game 5 since the Rangers would be unlikely to start converted reliever C.J. Wilson on short rest. Instead of facing off against rookie Madison Bumgarner, Tommy Hunter would find himself matched up against Giants ace Tim Lincecum.
↵The move to pitch Lee in Game 4 would be extremely risky. I'm all in favor of having your best pitcher pitch as often as possible but Tommy Hunter is still going to have to make a start at some point in Arlington. It seems foolish to have him go up against Lincecum in what could be a do-or-die game for the Rangers if they find themselves down three games to one.