The air is getting crisper, the leaves are starting to change and Cole Hamels know that the Fall Classic is just around the corner. Boy, does he know when to turn it on. Some have said that Hollywood Hamels did not like taking a backseat to the acquisition of Cliff Lee in late July. It didn't help that Lee's early success (5-0 with a sub 1.00 ERA) came at the same time Cole was struggling to get into his grove. However, it seems that Hollywood is finally gearing up for that October run.
In his last 4 starts he is 3-1, a 1.51 ERA, 28 strikeouts, only six walks over 29 2/3 innings including a complete game,1-0 shutout against the Wild Card chasing SF Giants this month. His other complete game shutout this season was against the NL Leading Dodgers. It seems like Cole knows when to turn up the heat.
And the best thing is he knows how to do it even when he doesn't have his best stuff. He admitted after his win last week over the Mets that his fastball wasn't at its best and had to rely more on the curveball to go along with his devastating change up.
When we all know their is a bullpen issue, it is great to see Cole, Cliff, and Pedro step it up a notch and take the pressure off the 'pen. Over the past 10 days, the starters, Kyle Kendrick included averaged 7+ innings of shutting their opponents down. And a lot has to do with Cole being Cole of late. He has only given up 5 runs in his last 4 starts and hopefully this has been the start of the Cole of last fall.
The Hunt for (Phillies) Red October is on, and it looks more and more like Cole Hamels could be steering the ship!
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