Almost every baseball fan that even pays attention to the game occasionally knows who Cole Hamels is and how good he is. But ask them who Joe Blanton and Brett Myers are, and they'll probably know them, but ask them how good they are and you probably won't like what you hear (unless your team is facing them). But looking at the last 3 outtings by Phillies starters...
Hamels: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Blanton: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
Myers: 7 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Combined: 19.2 IP, 18 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 18 K, 2.29 ERA
...and now factor in that this was against the best offense in the NL and it was on the road, you've got to be surprised. Now maybe these last 3 starts (at least the last 2) were a mirage, but if these guys can pitch this well against the Cubs at Wrigley, they have a chance to knock off the team I already have in the World Series representing the NL. I don't think anyone else other than the Brewers had a chance before. The Diamondbacks you ask? Bad bullpen, inconsistent lineup. The Mets you ask? Horrible bullpen. The Dodgers' offense is too weak. And the Cardinals overall just don't have a shot to knock off the Cubs.
Hamels: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Blanton: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
Myers: 7 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Combined: 19.2 IP, 18 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 18 K, 2.29 ERA
...and now factor in that this was against the best offense in the NL and it was on the road, you've got to be surprised. Now maybe these last 3 starts (at least the last 2) were a mirage, but if these guys can pitch this well against the Cubs at Wrigley, they have a chance to knock off the team I already have in the World Series representing the NL. I don't think anyone else other than the Brewers had a chance before. The Diamondbacks you ask? Bad bullpen, inconsistent lineup. The Mets you ask? Horrible bullpen. The Dodgers' offense is too weak. And the Cardinals overall just don't have a shot to knock off the Cubs.
