NLDS Game 3 Preview: Hamels returns to where it started
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
CINCINNATI — The task tonight for the Cincinnati Reds in Game 3 of the National League Division Series is to stop the third element of the H2O trio, Cole Hamels.
The first two are Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt.
Hamels, the 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player, has been in this spot before.
The spot?
Ending a team's season in a close out game.
Three times before, Hamels has sent a team packing, and the fourth try is tonight against the Reds.
Hamels has a 6-0 career record against Cincinnati, with an ERA of 1.06. This season Hamels is 12-11 with a 3.06 ERA in 33 starts.
He was asked is there is a reason why he thrives in the previous three attempts in a close out game.
"I truly just go out there to win it and do the best I can. I think I've been fortunate enough to be in those situations where it's been a clinching game, and I've been able to do well," Hamels said. "But at the same point we have to score runs. We have to try to minimize damage."
The Phillies have a two-game lead headed into tonight's game. Philadelphia is one win away from reaching the National League Championship Series for the third straight season. The past two years they've reached the World Series, winning it in 2008.
Hamels said the point of holding a 2-0 lead against a team is to not let'em win.
"You never want to lose a game, especially in the postseason. So if you go out there and play like it's the last out, if that's in three games, four games or five."
Hamels has the most wins by a left-handed pitcher in the NL since 2006 with 60 and the second-lowest ERA in the same time frame (3.53).
In his postseason career he's 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 60.2 innings pitched. He's allowed 26 earned runs. On the road he's 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA in 191.IP with 7 earned runs.
Hamels made his MLB debut in 2006, in Cincinnati (in the rain).
"That was the first time I ever pitched in the rain," he said. "It's a special time to finally achieve that goal that you set out when you're young and when you get drafted, and then you're moving up the ladder in the minor leagues and to try to stay as long as you can in the big leagues."
He said Great American Ball Park is special to him in some ways.
"This is the place where I debuted and it's special just because that's the place I debuted. I try to move on and play every game as though this is the one game I need to win no matter if it's spring training, regular season or postseason."[[In-content Ad]]
The first two are Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt.
Hamels, the 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player, has been in this spot before.
The spot?
Ending a team's season in a close out game.
Three times before, Hamels has sent a team packing, and the fourth try is tonight against the Reds.
Hamels has a 6-0 career record against Cincinnati, with an ERA of 1.06. This season Hamels is 12-11 with a 3.06 ERA in 33 starts.
He was asked is there is a reason why he thrives in the previous three attempts in a close out game.
"I truly just go out there to win it and do the best I can. I think I've been fortunate enough to be in those situations where it's been a clinching game, and I've been able to do well," Hamels said. "But at the same point we have to score runs. We have to try to minimize damage."
The Phillies have a two-game lead headed into tonight's game. Philadelphia is one win away from reaching the National League Championship Series for the third straight season. The past two years they've reached the World Series, winning it in 2008.
Hamels said the point of holding a 2-0 lead against a team is to not let'em win.
"You never want to lose a game, especially in the postseason. So if you go out there and play like it's the last out, if that's in three games, four games or five."
Hamels has the most wins by a left-handed pitcher in the NL since 2006 with 60 and the second-lowest ERA in the same time frame (3.53).
In his postseason career he's 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 60.2 innings pitched. He's allowed 26 earned runs. On the road he's 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA in 191.IP with 7 earned runs.
Hamels made his MLB debut in 2006, in Cincinnati (in the rain).
"That was the first time I ever pitched in the rain," he said. "It's a special time to finally achieve that goal that you set out when you're young and when you get drafted, and then you're moving up the ladder in the minor leagues and to try to stay as long as you can in the big leagues."
He said Great American Ball Park is special to him in some ways.
"This is the place where I debuted and it's special just because that's the place I debuted. I try to move on and play every game as though this is the one game I need to win no matter if it's spring training, regular season or postseason."[[In-content Ad]]