Another Ace-Worthy Start For Hamels

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, October 10, 2008 09:16 AM

Cole Hamels did it again. The 24-year-old ace held his composure in the game one victory, securing his place among great Phillie pitchers.

If you want wax in the form of screenwriter’s gold, check out Bill Conlin, who now digs into the 1940s and 50s for movie metaphors — something I appreciate as a film graduate. He spins a nice yarn about Hamels’ big victory.

But metaphors aside, this was about grinding it out and getting the job done. Hamels got beat — nay, pulverized — by Manny Ramirez in the first inning. Matt Kemp took him for a double a bit later. But the kid held it together, and kept it a two-run game, the kind of deficit the offense can make up without a sweat. Hamels:

“The way the team’s been playing. I had confidence (in the offense) and knew that even if I do put them down early, we’ll come back.”

Once Hamels got the lead, he was unstoppable. His fastball was crisp. His changeup was heart-stopping. He had swagger. They say the first inning is the best time to jump on a pitcher — Ramirez showed that. And once Hamels got in a groove, there was almost nothing Los Angeles could do to beat him. He went from grinding to dominant in a matter of innings. That’s why he’s the ace.

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33 Responses to “Another Ace-Worthy Start For Hamels”

Dennis Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 9:31 am
He pitched very good after a rocky first inning. This was a HUGE win and hopefully Myers pitches up to his ability today and we go to LA with a 2 game advantage. I’ll be attending my first Phillies playoff since I was 9 years old in 1993…. I’m pumped! GO PHILS!!!
Chutley Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 9:38 am
A Rocky first inning where i thought he was a little too hyped up. He hardly used his changeup and stuck with his fastball. Settled down and Pitched like the ace we needed. I think this was such a big win because it give the up coming straters the confidence that if they give up a few runs that the offense will pick em up.
Isaiah Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Best part is even when he has a “bad” game, he will only give up 3 or 4 runs. You can’t ask for more from a young guy than that. Here’s to hoping that they start treating him right moneywise so he’ll stay in Philly.
Geoff Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:06 am
He was awesome last night. What did he have like 10K? Really good strikeout pitchers are only vulnerable in the first or second innings, once they settle in there isnt much you can do usually unless they get tired.

Weve all been waiting for him to arrive on the scene in a big game against the best tier of competition out there. He did in the first series and he really did last night. In sports, you really do have to wait until the bgi games to say it, but hes definitely the real deal, especially when that fastball moves like that.

Madson has been out of his mind the 6 weeks or so. And Lidge had a smooth save, which was great that he didnt overexert himself again. 47 consecutive saves i think.
Isaiah Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:10 am
He still doesn’t throw it often, its not necessarily an out pitch yet, but Cole has been throwing the deuce more it seems. What would it be like for him to add a third devistating pitch? Would they even bring a bat along to the plate?
Don M Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:19 am
the problem with his Curveball is that he sometimes hangs it… when he broke his arm in HS, he developed the Change-up and that became his best pitch.. when he’s ON.. he mixes in that Curve just-enough… like he did last night.

Keep it in the back of hitter’s minds.. Really a GREAT performance by him last night, and give the hitters credit for staying patient against Lowe and driving balls when they got the chance..

RYAN HOWARD….. HIT THE BALL WHERE IT’S PITCHED… PLEASE!!!! Manny if LF, Blake playing on top of 2nd base… they are throwing you pitches low and away.. AND YOU ARE TRYING TO PULL THE BALL?? PLease……
Isaiah Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Be nice to Howard. He likes those groundball outs. Who needs a hit anyway?
Ben Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:27 am
phils have to open up the wallets for this kid. he’s 24 and already you can see the poise and control he has. he’s going to be a dominant starter for years, please please keep this kid around phillies.
Don M Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I think he gets arbitration this season.. so he’ll get $6+ Million I think… and since he proved he can stay healthy for a season, maybe they’ll buy out his arbitration years, and give him security… which in the long-run, can only help their cause to re-sign him when he becomes a Free Agent.. he’ll be what like 27 when its time for FA? He’d get BANK on the open market
Don M Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Geoff… I don’t agree with the $figure you suggested before ($18 million?) but wouldn’t it be nice to add Lowe instead of the risk you’d take going after Ben Sheets.. you were correct with that one.. and the more you see Lowe you realize that he isn’t DOMINATE.. he’s just SOLID!!! and that can often win you ballgames when it matters.. he was great last night, and the Phils stayed patient long enough, and luckily had a good part of the order come around when Lowe got tired..

what a game!!
mikemike Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Don M Great game last night. I didn’t forget our thirdbasemen arugment. So I asked phuture phillies to see if I was nuts about a guys range and fielding stats. To quote the blog anyone who just looks at fielding number has blinders on. It is one of the most misleading stats in baseball. I guess in my opinion he is good field and good arm if its hit to him. he doesn’t charge balls well and if you have seen in the playoff. He is limited because of his slow reaction he let a ball to his left in the ninth inning get by him in the clinching game at milk,He is not the kind of thirdbasemen you want on a team trying to win a championship. This year the phillies have got away with having him. ruiz giving them little offense. I
Don M Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I would agree that he doesn’t have the best range.. but like I said before, range along doesn’t mean all that much..

I’d rather have the guy that can field his position well, instead of the guy that can kinda field his own, but also can kinda field other postions as well..

I knew this would come back up after he came up on that ball down the line, but it hit right where the grass meets the dirt and it added topspin, while he was playing a hop.. He should have made the play, and i’ll give it to you that he didn’t.. And Blake made a few nice plays last night, but i’d still rather have Feliz at 3b..
KM Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Cole was very good, and he seems to get stronger as the games go on. It is a shame that we couldn’t generate enough runs to get him 4 or 5 more wins, because he could have had a serious shot at cy young. His ERA was a shade over 3 in this ballpark, which i’d estimate at 2.50 or less in a park like petco.
mikemike Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Well the reason also, and I am only voicing my opinion is his offense. Keith law was just on talking about donald he fells he is good enough defensive but doesn’t have the 400 obp you need and fifty doubles the position usually reguires.By the way the phillies are playing donald at third. in the arizona fall league. Also the phillies really need to try to get hamels sign to a contract . I don’t know what it would take but for all of us in this city. we need this team to step up to the plate. I believe there is some risk because of his history of injury. but all the sellouts we can afford to do it. I can’t tell you about felix over blake because I really haven’t seen the dodgers that much. you might be right in that argument.
Phil Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Feliz is a way better 3B than Blake. I can’t find a site with +/- right now, but the last time I saw one I noticed that Feliz won +/- 3 years in a row at 3B. Also, I just looked up the RZR for Feliz vs. Blake and they are identical.
Don M Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:04 am
That was my whole arguement was that Blake isn’t BETTER than Feliz at 3b… and I know Feliz doesn’t hit much, but he is as sure-handed a 3b as you’ll get.. and when your 2b hits 30+ HR.. you don’t need 20+ from your 3b..

Donald made like 18 errors at SS (no idea if they were fielding or throwing) but either way.. he’ll have less time to react to balls at 3b, and often a longer throw.. if it works it will be a nice move for 2010 when Feliz is gone and you’ll need a 3b to replace him.. Donald has been looked at for his bat much more than his glove

About Hamels.. It would be nice for him to get a CY YOUNG.. but now that we’ve seen two guys win MVP awards, and how it doesn’t mean a thing.. I’m fine with knowing Hamels is that good, without having the national spotlight shine on him.
Phil Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Oh, another thing…3B don’t need range that much. They need quick reflexes and a good arm. If you have a short stop with good range(which we do) it’s fine.
Phil Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hamels needs to be resigned right now while oyu can still get him cheap. Give him a Chase Utley type contract.
Sct Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:18 am
“I expect Cole Hamels to pitch well, and for Derek Lowe to match him until the end. It’ll take a key hit or two sometime around the sixth or seventh to overcome Lowe, and if it happens, the Phils win the game.”

Whoa, Tim … psychic.
Phillies Take Game 1 Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am
[...] may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! Thanks to the bat of Chase Utley and the pitching of Cole Hamels, the Philadelphia Phillies have a 1-0 lead over the Dodgers in the NLCS. Is this a sign of things [...]
Geoff Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:36 am
18 million is jsut what some people think itll take to get him…but yes, id MUCH MUCH rather spend 15 million on than on ben sheets. i dont even think i would offer 5 million to sheets. hes great, but he cant stay healthy. not worth the money. i couldnt believe when they said last night that lowe has NEVER been on the DL! that is solid. signing lowe could REALLY tighten up the rotation. hamels myers lowe blanton moyer, happ being used out of the pen from the get go could be nice, or they could move him as part of something for a right handed bat to replace pat burrell if he does leave.

anwyas, hamels gets arb this year btu they begin talks this winter. my guess is sometime in psring training they come to an agreement to buy out the rest of his arb years and two years of free agency. i think hell get a good contract. the phillies know they have no choice. hamels would make like 25mm over 6/7 years as a free agent assuming he continues to improve and be healthy. insane prices.

but, yeah it was an awesome win last night. it was all about pitching. you saw waht is so great about october baseball…there isnt much room for error. that was very very tight last night.
Geoff Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:38 am
feliz was a great signing in the end because it buys you time to find a “3b of the future.” maybe they can retrain donald, maybe not. but at least we have some time to do it.
Geoff Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am
lowe was basically unhittable until they got to him too…
Don M Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Its funny how we all argued over so many random things all season.. Clay Condrey.. Ruiz… Feliz.. Rollins… Pat Gillick.. etc..

But really, you see how close this team is and you need to give them credited for putting a SOLID team together.. they aren’t the favorites to win it all, but they could.. so I appreciate them adding good pieces to the roster.. Durbin, Feliz, Eyre, etc… guys that help when you need it
Isaiah Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Pay Cole what he wants. Keep him until he is older than Moyer. DO IT!
Gabriel Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
how about manny backhanding the pat burrell single… pat would’ve let that ball roll to wall and given up a double… i know manny is a defensive liability but he at least takes the chance (ie – high fiving the boston fan and then throwing out the runner at 2nd…)
IF we win the whole thing (or at least beat the dodgers) do you think manny would consider coming here knowing he’d have a legit shot at breaking the HR record? imagine him here for 81 games/year… he’d have 50 HR at CBP alone!!! i know the phils FO wont dish out 3 yrs / 75 mil but man think about the top of that order…
1) Jimmy
2) Chase
3) Manny
4) Ryan
5) shane/werth
6) shane/werth
7) 3B (feliz)
ruiz/marson
that’s one mean lineup – especially if our pitching repeats in 09
Don M Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
There is ZERO chance of Manny coming here… he pretended to be hurt in Boston because he didnt want to play… threw a 60 year old man to the ground when he couldn’t get Manny extra tickets to the game in Tampa… and Watched his HomeRun last night (oh wait, his DOUBLE)… and because he didn’t even jog out of the box, he didn’t reach 3rd.. and he didn’t score on that passed ball… and they lost by that one run that was him standing on 3rd base.

Screw him.. he doesn’t deserve to play here
NEPA Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
My friend who is a huge Mets fan really wants Manny on the Mets next season. Good luck with that, Manny will reek havoc on that already unstable clubhouse.
Brian Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Where are all the Mets fans on here now? We let our baseball do the talking.

Great start again by Hamels last night.

Just the mere presence of our Hawaiian on the base paths was enough to give Furcal a nasty case of food poisoning on that throw, I guess it was the poi. That was the play that really started to rattle Lowe’s cage, aside from a two-out hit by Hamels the inning prior.

Madsen has really turned out to be our go-to-guy in the 8th, who would have thought? His changeup is really on the mark.

With that strikeout pitch to end the game last night, you just knew that Lidge was gonna throw the nastiest slider he could, and he did, so much to where Ruiz couldn’t even handle it.

As for the offense, different guys are stepping up different games and we are still winning. I’ll take it if it means a W.
mikemike Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Geoff a great signing, What does he give you. Look the F.A. office and there moves have look good. but you can’t tell me great sign. no speed .low average little power. can’t charge a ball to save his life. Has two things good arm and fieldS what is hit at him. any time he has to move to his left and you can see in the playoffs his lack of reflex or range or whatever you want to call. I never said he was better or worse than blake. I don’t see like you do a lot of dodgers game. my whole thing was you can’t judge players fielding by looking at errors and plus minus. go on phuture phillies and see the reponse to those kinds of stats. David wright had sixteen errors saw a good bit of him he is a great thirdbasemen .Forget his offense look at the way he fields third. Point being the phillies haven’t really address third through trades or draft. And they need to. just like andy reid needs to get a real fullback who can block. still hope they blow out the dodgers. just voiceing my thought.
mikemike Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Don M on your point about donalds errors. The fields down in the minors for the most part are bad. The phillies have a kid named Gavis a shortshop who made a lot of errors. Yet scouts say he could play shortstop tomorrow in the majorleagues. they say he makes a great play or two every game it seems.
christopher Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
pedro feliz was a very, very good signing. he gives them exceptional defense equal to nunez with a superior bat. he doesn’t cost you much and gives you time to groom hewitt at 3B. he doesn’t have good power? he broke 20 HRs four seasons straight and would have done it again this year if he hadn’t gotten injured. he has trouble with breaking balls and doesn’t hit well for average, but he’s also prone to getting big hits in spots that count. i am glad the phillies have pedro feliz on their team.
Don M Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
“The fields down in the minors for the most part are bad.” …is maybe the most ridiculous statement I’ve ever heard when arguing a prospects fielding..

I understand you don’t like Feliz.. cool… I do…

I understand your point about his lack of range.. but hopefully you understand that I think sure-hands and throwing accuracy OWN range any day..

I hope Donald does take over and wins 10 gold gloves.. I’m just being realistic

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