A Star is Born

Last night a star was born in major league baseball. If you live anywhere outside of Central to Eastern PA and south Jersey, you may not have know how good Cole Hamels really was. Lucky for me, I have had the opportunity to see every start he has ever had, If I had so chosen. Don't get me wrong, I haven't watched every game he has pitched but I have seen more then most so for me this is no surprise. I knew how good Hamels was before this post season and before last night.

He doesn't have staggering numbers so I can totally understand why it took a performance like last night for him to get really noticed. People are now recognizing him for the ace that he is. Last night he carried that team because other then Utley's homer in the first, they didn't hit. I know he gave up a homer to Crawford and a double to Iwamura but those were his only two bad pitches of the night. That's right, in seven strong innings he threw two bad pitches. I will take that from my ace any day of the year.

He did everything they asked him to. Give us seven strong so we can get Madson and Lidge in. Keep the ball down in the zone against these big swinging youngsters. Mix in the change and keep them off balance. It was a masterful performance by an emerging ace in the league. He won them game 1 on the road and taken home field and put in back in the Phillies favor.

Don't be surprised to see this guy twice more in this series and really don't be surprised if he wins them both. Here's to ya Cole! Atta boy! Great game!