It's getting late for Cole Hamels to turn his frustrating season around. In most of his losses, he hasn't pitched that poorly. He just hasn't pitched that well either. Once again I think that the Phillies will be lucky if he gets through the year without an injury, and that all else may have to wait till next year. Despite his starry success, Hamels is still a young pitcher learning his craft. This year looks like it may be a big bump along the way.
So far in this set with the Marlins, the Phillies have looked like chum. In truth they've looked like that for most of the past 10 days. If the slumping offense, a collective misfiring, doesn't step it up, the Phillies will be Metsied in September--if not sooner. And I'll be thinking Arizona Fall League, not play-offs.
One bright spot: Ryan Howard went 4 for 4.
