Before you stone me to death, hear me out.

First of all I want to point out winning. The Rangers have lost the last 5 Cliff Lee descisions. Lee has given up 26 ER in the past 5 games with 18.2 IP. Thats not good. In contrast, the Rangers have won the past 9 CJ Wilson starts. And unlike Cliff Lee, CJ locks it down when he needs to. Look at the recent Baltimore series for example. CJ got 2 runs of run support, but pitched 8.2 innings of scoreless ball for the win. Cliff Lee on the other hand got 6 runs of run support and gave up 8 ER.

Now there are plenty of excuses out there for Lee. During his last start against NYY, he left the game with a 6-4 lead after 6.1 innings pitched and the bullpen lost the game. But I ask you, would a real Ace let the bullpen lose the game? Would an Ace let Darren O'Day and Darren Oliver come in and take care of unherited runners in that game? Does a team lose by scores of 6-7, 4-6, 6-8, 4-6, and 9-10 (as opposed to scores like 4-3, 2-0, 3-0, and 4-3 again by CJ recently) when a true Ace is on the mound? By definition, should an Ace be able to pitch with a bit of clutchness, and when the time comes, make sure that his team scores more runs?

I realize that there is only so much a pitcher can do. I realize that a win is dependent on the Hitting/Bullpen too, and thus is a pretty useless stat. But seriously people.

Also, how do you analyze the Leadership/Chemistry aspect? Yes, Lee is a former Cy Young winner with World Series wins in his belt. But he is also thought of as a rental player who is going to bail out to NYY when the seaon is over. CJ on the other hand has spent his entire career in that clubhouse. Not only that but he is possibly the most emotional and intense player we have. He is easily the Carlos Zambrano of the Rangers.

ANd then of course there are the stats. Cliff Lee holds the edge in a lot of categories on the season. WHIP, FIP, K/9, BB, IP (and in fewer starts). But CJ has a better BAA, and his ERA (and really preventing runs is the bottom line for a pitcher) is noticbly better.

There is another factor to consider when talking about the stats too. How Lee has done since coming to Texas as opposed to pitching in pitcher friendly Safeco. turns out he has a mediocre 4.5 ERA as a Ranger. Maybe its the park, maybe its pitching every 4 days, maybe its the heat. But whatever it is, he, unlike CJ, has not ben very acely since he got here.

There is no doubt that CJ is our Ace right now

The biggest stat of all regarding CJ is that he has 10 wins following a Ranger loss this season. That is HUGE. That's the definition of an Ace. But, when Cliff figures it out again, there's few pitchers as good as him in baseball right now. Plus, he's earned his playoff stripes--a big key to becoming a true ace in my opinion. No need to label them though, having both on your team is a huge advantage.

CLIFF LEE IS PATHETIC. HE BETTER NOT BE STARTING GAME 1.

@DMax

How do you figure that Cliff Lee is pathetic? You're an idiot. Probably the same brand of fan that sent boos towards Colby Lewis. Get out of here with that crap.

0-3, 8.28 in his last 5 starts. THAT IS FUCKING PATHETIC. Colby's five worst games this season aren't that bad. I'd never boo a player thats been busting his ass all season.