Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels really labored through his six innings of work, throwing 117 pitches. But he is proving that he is back to the Hamels we saw back in October. In the Month of May, Hamels has 3 starts, all of which are quality starts. He is striking out more than a batter per inning. He has also lowered his ERA from 7.27 to 4.95 (May's ERA is 2.84) His real test will come Sunday as he faces a red hot Yankees team and CC Sabathia in the Bronx.

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Cole Hamels pitched gem this afternoon. Nine strikeouts, one walk, and one earned run (HR) over seven innings. The Phils took the lead for Hamels in the bottom of the first with a lead off double from Jimmy Rollins, a sac bunt from Victorino, and a sac fly from Howard. That was all the runs the Phightless Phils had for the young lefty. The Phillies did make a game of it scoring 2 runs with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth off of Jonathan Broxton. On the verge of a 1,2,3 top of the 10th Chad Durbin went two up two down and seemingly melted down after a payoff pitch failed to go his way. Durbin gave up two runs to give away the lead. Rookie Ramon Troncoso came in to save the game for Broxton setting down the Phillies on 13 pitches. It would have been less than 10 if Troncoso didn't hit Utley with two strikes and two outs.

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A great way to start the series.

 While every game is important, this game was incredibly important for a variety of reasons:

 1) It establishes confidence. It seems a big problem with the Chicago Cubs was once they lost the first game they lost all confidence and expected to collapse. A win tonight prevents that from ever happening.

Continue reading "NLCS Game 1, Phillies 3 Dodgers 2"

Game 1 is tonight.  Can the Phillies come in too confident?  Can Cole Hamels inability to pitch in the day time and big games be a factor?

What do you think?  I am guessing no.  He is a stud and will lead us to the promise land!  Too cliche?  Oh well, it is too early for sensibility.

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