Get used to it, Phillies fans. The Cole Hamels you saw struggle last night is the pitcher you are going to see for the rest of the year, namely, a two-pitch hurler who gives up home runs, is easily rattled and will rely on an explosive offense to compensate for his shortcomings.
Hamels may have worked on a third pitch throughout Spring Training, but it wasn't in evidence last night as he relied on his decent fastball and excellent change almost exclusively. This combination is a pitch shy to be a very successful major league pitcher and everyone, especially opposing batters, knows it. Hamels either doesn't trust his curve or just doesn't have a good one, but there were key moments, especially in his last inning of work against the Nationals, where he should have thrown it.
Gary Matthews and Tom McCarthy did their usual blabbering best to talk up the two pitches Hamels does possess, but even Sarge called for the hook once or twice only to see the lefty throw the change.
It's going to be a long season from all three of these guys.
2 comments:
How many times over the last few years have we seen a Phils pitcher get the first two batters out in an inning, and then allow 3-4 or 5 runs after that? Too many times they can't retire that third batter and as a result, the flood gates open and one batter after another reaches base. That's what happened to Hamels last night. It's the "first two out then can't get anyone out" syndrome.
sigh.
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