Philadelphia Phillies name Cole Hamels to start Game 3 of the NLDS – MLB News
The Philadelphia Phillies have picked pitcher Cole Hamels as the starter for Game 3 of the National League Division Series scheduled to be played against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, October 4. The Cardinals came back in the five-game Series on Sunday
to beat the Phillies 5-4.
After losing Game 1 by 11-6, the Cardinals put up some stiff resistance to the onslaught of the Cy Young Award winners of the Phillies (Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay) in Game 2 to avoid back-to-back defeats at the hands of Philadelphia.
Phillies will be looking to win Game 3 to shun an unexpected failure just when they were all braced to win the World Series. Were the Cardinals to somehow win on Tuesday, it would deal a severe blow and might possibly shatter the dreams of the Phillies to
remain relevant in the NLDS.
Defence remains the best strength of the Phillies, opting for Hamels becomes understandable as he has had an impressive season so far. Having won 14 games of the 32 starts he has had, Hamels has maintained an impressive 2.79 ERA.
At a time when the rival teams heavily relied on the offence, Hamels was a source of strength for the Phillies as he barely gave up 169 hits in 216 innings that he pitched, having 194 strike-outs with a 2.79 ERA.
Being superb as a whole for the Phillies, the choice assumes significance.
"He's a legitimate fit for that rotation," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "We'll do exactly what we've tried to do the first two games."
Cole himself understands the challenges the team faces. "I think we're all pretty fresh on what to do, what type of approach that I'm going to have toward them, what type of approach they're having toward me," Hamels said.
With Hamels on the mound, there remains a lot to be seen as to how the Phillies go past the Cardinals in the Game 3. It will be interesting to see what impact Hamels will have in the game and whether he can guide the Phillies to a win over the surging Cardinals.
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