Seriously... the way Cole Hamels has been pitching recently, I say throw him game 1 of the Division Series.
He's clearly not the nervous wreck who just wanted 2009 to end. He is channelling his inner 2008. Remember THAT Cole Hamels? The one who won the NLCS AND World Series MVP... putting him in the company of Willie Stargell, Darrell Porter, Orel Hershiser and Livan Hernandez of players who have won both in the same year.
(Oddly it hasn't been done in the American League.)
His second half numbers have been amazing.
Going into tonight, he has made 12 starts in the second half. He has posted a 1.96 ERA in those starts and has averaged nearly 7 innings per start. His second half WHIP is under 1.00 and is averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
And how did he fare today?
He pitched a critical game against Atlanta who has been charging hard to catch up with Philadelphia... and went 8 innings, 1 run, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.
He's no longer Bad Luck Hamels.
He didn't let his bad luck get the best of him and in September he has gone 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA and going more than 7 innings per start.
Sounds like a #1 to me.
I say start him in Game 1. Have him stare down the Reds best in the opener AT Philadelphia. Or the Giants or the Padres.
Hamels vs. Johnny Cueto?
He's clearly not the nervous wreck who just wanted 2009 to end. He is channelling his inner 2008. Remember THAT Cole Hamels? The one who won the NLCS AND World Series MVP... putting him in the company of Willie Stargell, Darrell Porter, Orel Hershiser and Livan Hernandez of players who have won both in the same year.
(Oddly it hasn't been done in the American League.)
His second half numbers have been amazing.
Going into tonight, he has made 12 starts in the second half. He has posted a 1.96 ERA in those starts and has averaged nearly 7 innings per start. His second half WHIP is under 1.00 and is averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
And how did he fare today?
He pitched a critical game against Atlanta who has been charging hard to catch up with Philadelphia... and went 8 innings, 1 run, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.
He's no longer Bad Luck Hamels.
He didn't let his bad luck get the best of him and in September he has gone 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA and going more than 7 innings per start.
Sounds like a #1 to me.
I say start him in Game 1. Have him stare down the Reds best in the opener AT Philadelphia. Or the Giants or the Padres.
Hamels vs. Johnny Cueto?
Tim Lincecum?
Mat Latos?
It would be a good match up either way... throw in the Philadelphia line up, crowd and environment and I'd pick Philly each time.
Put the opposing team on the heels.
Then realize that Roy Halladay is going up against their #2 starter.
Like those odds?
It's an idea... don't dismiss it off hand.
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