Hamels is man on a mission

Written by Mike Mariano | 15 September 2010

Cole Hamels has started 30 games this season and only sports a 11-10 record to show for it.  However the Phillies often scrutinized starter is another great start away from pushing his season ERA under 3.00.  Run support has always been hit or miss for Hamels, but he's putting together the best pitching season of his career.  These days you can chalk him up for 7 innings, 2 runs, no problem.  And with this offense, that's winning baseball.  Look at his line from last night:

The Phillies are thick into a pennant race and Hamels steps his game up higher and higher every night.  Since the end of June, Hamels has lowered his ERA a full run from 4.08 to 3.01.  That coincides directly with the Phillies resurgance as one of the best teams in the National League.  Hamels hasn't allowed a home run in his last four starts and hasn't allowed more than one in a game since June.

Cole is the pitcher we've always wanted him to be right now.  If the Phillies continue on into the Playoffs, a three man rotation of him and the Roy's is going to make the Phillies a handful for any team NL or AL.