by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/20/2013) Phillies starter Cole Hamels pitched well enough to win Monday in Miami. He simply couldn't get any help from his offense once again.
Hamels hasn't thrown a single pitch with his team holding a lead since April 7, a span of 52 innings. It was the case once again Monday as he dropped to 1-7 on the year with a 4.45 ERA.
Hamels allowed just two earned runs on seven hits and no walks over six innings with 10 strikeouts. He threw 89 pitches.
The 29-year-old has lost four straight starts but has allowed two runs in three of those outings. In fact, Hamels has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his 10 starts. His next outing comes Sunday at Washington.
Cole Hamels still considered a must-start
by Joe Polito | CBSSports.com (5/17/2013) Recent struggles have some Fantasy owners thinking twice about running with Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, as evidenced by his percentage started being 20 points lower than his percentage owned.
While taking a look at two-start pitchers for week eight on Fantasy Baseball Today, Al Melchior said he still considers Cole Hamels a must-start regardless of whether he’s a one-start or two-start. Hamels’ next two scheduled outings come against Miami on Monday and Washington on May 26.
No red flags for Cole Hamels
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Phillies manager Charlie Manuel told reporters before Wednesday's start that Cole Hamels was on the verge of a hot streak, but Hamels went out and allowed five runs in five innings of work to drop his record to 1-6.
Hamels is in the midst of a definite cold streak to open the season,. He has already matched his loss total from last season in just nine starts. His ugly record isn't all the result of bad luck and poor run support either. His 4.61 ERA is a career-worst. Hamels is struggling with his control or the first time in his career, walking 3.81 batters per nine innings, while only striking out 7.46 per nine.
At this point, there do not appear to be any physical reasons for Hamels' struggles. His average fastball velocity is sitting at 91.5 according to FanGraphs.com's PITCHf/x data, actually an improvement over the 2012 season, so it is not like we can point to some obvious mechanical flaw that is causing his pitches to lose their life. He is also throwing a similar proportion of his pitches inside the strike zone: 42.6 percent in 2013, 43.8 percent in 2012.
At least if he were struggling with his arm speed or showing a tendency away from pitching in the zone, we could try to diagnose what is wrong with Hamels. At this poin t, Fantasy owners simply have to hope that he is a few small corrections away from living up to his manager's still-lofty expectations.
Cole Hamels suffers sixth loss in ninth start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels could not end his losing skid Wednesday against the Indians, dropping a third straight start and losing for the fourth time in five outings as Cleveland beat Philadelphia, 10-4. Hamels opened with two scoreless innings before the Indians scored five times over the next three innings.
Hamels, who was plagued by a high pitch count, gave up a solo home run to Mike Aviles in the fourth inning and a two-run homer to Nick Swisher in the fifth inning. Hamels (1-6) allowed five runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out four. The Phillies are 1-8 in his starts.
Hamels needed 91 pitches to get through four innings and reached 100 in the fifth.
"We drove his pitch count up early," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We made him earn his outs and we scored early. It's great to work the count and have something to show for it."
The left-hander will be back on the hill Monday at Miami. Hamels is 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA in two starts against Miami this season.
Cole Hamels 'real close' to going on hot streak
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Although he hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in four straight starts, Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels is 1-3 in that span. However, manager Charlie Manuel is quite confident the left-handed hurler is due for a hot streak.
"He's real close to getting on one of those runs, has had good stuff, but walked more than usual, matter of command," Manuel said during an interview on MLB Network Radio.
Cole Hamels loses control in fifth loss
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/10/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels struggled badly with his control for the second time in three starts Thursday. He walked five batters in six innings against the Diamondbacks.
Hamels lasted six innings and allowed just two runs in the outing, despite walking five batters and allowing six hits. He struck out just three batters, his second-lowest total of the season. Despite the quality start, Hamels earned his fifth loss of the season, as the Phillies managed just one run in a 2-1 loss.
Hamels had more walks than strikeouts in the outing, the second time he has done that in eight starts; he only did it three times from 2010-2012, a stretch of 95 starts. He has 11 walks in his last 20 innings.
Hamels is 1-5 with a 4.18 ERA. He has a career-worst 7.49 K/9 and 3.83 BB/9 in 51 2/3 innings. He will try to get back on track in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday against the Indians.
Cole Hamels goes eight strong in losing effort
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels turned in a solid performance but was pegged with his fourth loss of the season during Saturday's contest against the Marlins.
Hamels (1-4), who made his seventh start of the season, surrendered a solo home run to Marcell Ozuna in the second and another solo shot to Chris Valaika in the third for his only damage of the night. The left-hander was charged with two runs and four hits over eight innings of work in a 2-0 defeat. He struck out six and did not issue a walk on 106 pitches, 73 for strikes.
Hamels has lost two of his last three starts despite allowing four runs and striking out 20 over 22 innings in that span. He is scheduled to start Thursday at Arizona. He is 2-1 with a 4.71 ERA in his last three starts at Chase Field.
Wild Cole Hamels walks away with win
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/28/2013) Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels (1-3) permitted just one run despite walking six batters over six innings during a 5-1 victory over the Mets on Sunday. He also allowed just two hits -- a single and a double -- in his 111-pitch performance (62 strikes) to secure his first win in six starts this season.
After walking just three batters over his past two outings, Hamels matched a career high with his six walks against the Mets but escaped trouble to lower his ERA to a season-low 4.78. He also finished with eight strikeouts.
The left-hander is projected to make his next scheduled start Saturday against Miami, the second time he's faced the division opponent this year. In his previous outing, he limited the Marlins to just one run over six innings.
Another tough-luck loss for Cole Hamels
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels turned in another solid start Tuesday against the Pirates, but was charged with his third loss of the season.
Hamels (0-3), who made his fifth start of the season, surrendered a run-scoring double to Brandon Inge in the fourth and a solo home run to Gaby Sanchez in the eighth for his only damage of the night. The left-hander was charged with two runs and seven hits in eighth innings of work in a 2-0 defeat. He struck out six and walked one on 118 pitches, 82 for strikes.
Hamels has a 5.40 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He is slated to start Sunday against the Mets at Citi Field. The 29-year-old is 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA in his last eight starts at Citi Field.
No win despite Cole Hamels' quality start
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/18/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels was solid for the second start in a row Thursday against the Cardinals, but the 29-year-old still does not have a win this season.
Hamels tossed his second quality start in a row, limiting the Cardinals to three earned runs in seven innings of work, but was not in line for a win by the time he left. He fell behind early, allowing a two-run double by Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina in the fourth inning, but the Phillies were able to work their way back from that deficit. Hamels allowed one more run in his seventh and final inning of work, and he earned a no-decision in a 4-3 loss.
Hamels struck out eight batters and walked two in his seven innings, while giving up five hits. He threw 66 of 98 pitches for strikes.
Hamels is 0-2 through four starts, with a 6.46 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings of work. Hamels will make his next start Tuesday against the Pirates, one of the league's lesser offenses. Pittsburgh ranks 25th in the majors with 51 runs scored in 14 games.
Cole Hamels much improved in start No. 3
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) After scuffling in his first two starts of the season, Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels welcomed the lowly Marlins Saturday.
Hamels made just one mistake in the game, hanging a pitch to Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez in the fifth inning with a runner on third, accounting for his lone run allowed in six innings of work. Hamels limited the Marlins to just three hits and two walks, while striking out five batters.
Despite posting his first quality start of the year, Hamels earned a no-decision as the Phillies failed to score until after he left the game. They went on to lose the game, 2-1.
Hamels lowered his ERA to 7.56 on the season, heading into a Thursday matchup against the Cardinals. Hamels did not face the Cardinals last season.
Cole Hamels hit with another false start
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels (0-2) struggled for the second-straight start, allowing eight runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings of a 9-8 loss to Kansas City in an interleague matchup Sunday. Hamels, who walked four and struck out two, opened the season by giving up five runs on seven hits in five innings in a loss to Atlanta.
The last time he failed to complete at least six innings in back-to-back outings came at the end of the 2010 season. The three-time All-Star has a 10.97 ERA after two starts. He will attempt to bounce back Saturday at Miami, which was shut out once in five games against Hamels last season.
Long balls land Cole Hamels with loss
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/1/2013) Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels had a hard time keeping the ball in the park in his opening-day start against the Braves on Monday. He allowed five runs on seven hits -- including three homers -- over five innings in the 7-5 loss.
Hamels surrendered a two-run bomb to Freddie Freeman in the first before Dan Uggla launched a solo shot off the left-hander the following frame. After Atlanta pushed across another run in the third, he gave up a solo homer to Justin Upton in the fifth.
Hamels, who threw 89 pitches, also struck out five and walked one in the defeat.
Cole Hamels' successful spring comes to an end
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels wrapped up his spring slate with an efficient three-inning outing Wednesday against the Tigers. Hamels, who is slated to start opening day against the Braves, allowed one hit and one walk in three scoreless innings. He struck out three. Hamels finishes the spring with a 0.95 ERA in five starts. He also struck out 15 batters and walked four in 19 innings.
Cole Hamels Ks five vs. Boston
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels turned in a solid performance in Thursday's contest against the Red Sox. Hamels, who made his fourth Grapefruit League start, allowed just one run on four hits in six innings of work -- his longest outing of the spring. He also struck out five and issued two walks as he improved his ERA to 1.13. Hamels will take the mound for the Phillies on opening day at Atlanta April 1.
Cole Hamels working on pitch count
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, who was recently named opening day starter, took the mound for some work in a intrasquad game Saturday morning.
He allowed four runs on six hits -- including a home run -- over five innings of work. He walked two and struck out six while throwing 84 pitches as he continues to build his pitch count.
"I was pretty pleased in the end. Just to be able to build up to a somewhat significant pitch count, that was nice," Hamels said. "I was able to get all five pitches working, which I was happy with. I got a lot more work in this week to get my timing better, so I was able to fulfill my goal today. It's nice to build off that and start to get ready for when the season is going to happen."
Cole Hamels named opening day starter
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/14/2013) The Phillies announced Thursday that pitcher Cole Hamels will start opening day, April 1, at Atlanta. Hamels is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in three spring starts (10 innings).
Madison Bumgarner as good as Cole Hamels?
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/14/2013) Last year, Cole Hamels had a 3.05 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings in 31 starts. Meanwhile, Madison Bumgarner had a 2.83 ERA, 0.99 ERA and 8.4 strikeouts in 25 starts. Unfortunately, they weren't his only 25 starts. A rough patch late in the year inflated his numbers to what they ultimately were. The Giants determined a mechanical flaw was the cause, and they fixed it in time for the World Series, when he two-hit the Tigers over seven innings. I don't know about you, but that little bedtime story leads me to believe the real Bumgarner is the one we saw over those first 25 starts, which would suggest he's at least as good as Cole Hamels. And yet he's going two rounds later, on average, in both Head-to-Head and Rotisserie.
Hamels' ERA still under 1.00
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/10/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels pitched an effective five innings during his third spring start Sunday against the Astros. Hamels allowed just one run on one hit and one walk. He struck out one. Sunday was the first time he allowed an earned run this spring, so his ERA actually increased from 0.00 to 0.90. "At least I was able to build up my pitch count, which was huge," Hamels said, "but I've got to get the timing issue down so I can go seven, eight, nine innings and throw as many pitches as I have to."
Hamels lost in translation
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/5/2013) Philadelphia starting pitcher Cole Hamels was tagged for eight runs and 12 hits in just 2 2/3 innings during an exhibition game against the Dominican Republic's team for the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday. After a scoreless first inning, Hamels was under siege for four runs in each of the following two innings. Two of his runs came on a homer by Jose Reyes, a former division rival with the Marlins and the Mets, in the third inning. He totaled three strikeouts and no walks. "Thank goodness it doesn't count now," Hamels told MLB.com.
Hamels keeps perfect ERA
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/28/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels was sharp over three innings Thursday against the Braves. Making his second spring start, Hamels was charged with one unearned runs on four hits. He didn't issue a walk and struck out five. Hamels has allowed one unearned run in five innings this spring. "It was good," Hamels said. "I'm just building up, starting the process of trying to get the pitch count up. Obviously the endurance to be out there, it's all going to come."
Hamels working past concern
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/23/2013) Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels permitted just one hit in two scoreless innings during Philadelphia's 8-3 loss to Houston in Grapefruit League action Saturday. Hamels showed no problems with his left shoulder that was reportedly troubling him during offseason workouts and allowed only a single among the seven batters he faced. He also registered a strikeout before he was removed at the beginning of the third inning. "Physically, I feel really strong," Hamels said. "It's just getting the timing and reps for the muscle memory. Mentally, it's just being prepared every five days now. Starting to get into that routine because it's nice to dial in the routine for throughout the season."
Hamels denies soreness
(1/28/2013) Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels on Monday denied reports that he suffered from shoulder soreness this offseason. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said earlier in the month Hamels had some soreness in his left shoulder when he "got aggressive" with his throwing program in October. “I don’t know of anything that happened,” Hamels said. “I’ve been healthy. That’s the last thing on my list. … I haven’t felt anything of that sort. That’s the honest truth. I don’t know. I wasn’t the one that started it. I know I feel good and I’m ready to go. That’s all I can really answer. That’s kind of where it is. Same program, ready for spring training and finally getting out of the cold. That will be a lot nicer. I’m very excited.”
Hamels overcoming sore shoulder
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (1/10/2013) Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told CSNPhilly.com that starting pitcher Cole Hamels had some soreness in his left shoulder when he "got aggressive" with his throwing program in October. The Phillies aren't concerned about his availability for the start of the season, though. “We shut him down for a couple of weeks, but he’s fine now,” Amaro said. “He was being proactive more than anything else, which is good. We backed him off and slowed him down, but he’s back throwing now and doing fine. He’s had no complaints.”
