call to arms

Mississippi juco products Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt are on the mound today in significant games. Actually, it’s hard to decide who’s feeling the greatest pressure. Former Meridian Community College star Lee, who has been down with a back problem, goes for Texas against the New York Yankees. Lee is 2-5 with a 4.69 ERA for the Rangers since they acquired him from Seattle, hardly the production they were looking for. Texas is a lock to win the American League West, but the Rangers would like to see some positives from Lee in what could be a playoff preview against the Yankees, who are in a dogfight in the AL East. Meanwhile, Holmes CC alum Oswalt has been dynamite for Philadelphia, going 5-1, 2.30 in eight starts since the Phillies got him from Houston. Oswalt faces the New York Mets today as the Phillies try to keep pace with Atlanta in the National League East. Oswalt is 5-5 career against the Mets.