A breakthrough performance in the 2008 postseason was supposed to serve as a launching pad for Phillies lefty Cole Hamels. But the reigning NLCS and World Series MVP never got on track this season, dropping his first two starts and finishing with a 10-11 record.
The hope in Philadelphia was that Hamels, who went 4-0 last postseason, would snap out of his funk in the playoffs. That hasn’t happened. Hamels struggled mightily in the first two rounds against the Rockies and Dodgers. He was dreadful again Saturday night in Game 3 of the World Series, giving up five runs and getting the hook with one out in the fifth inning.
Control has been the issue with Cole, though not in the way you’d normally measure it. He’s only walked four batters in 19 innings this postseason. But his curveball, which was so good last October, has disappeared, leaving Hamels with only two reliable pitches — the four-seam fastball and the change-up.
With no reliable breaking ball, Hamels can’t keep hitters off-balance deep into games. He’s has been solid the first two times through the lineup this postseason — holding hitters to a .250 average — but he’s been exposed in round three, giving up eight hits in 12 at-bats.
The Phillies are using a four-man rotation in the World Series, which means Hamels would start Game 7 if it gets that far. He’ll need to find his curveball before then, or Charlie Manuel‘s No. 3 starter will become his No. 1 concern.
