Chicago Cubs: Why Cole Hamels should start first playoff game

If the Chicago Cubs clinch a spot in the postseason, Cole Hamels is the clear choice to start the team’s first playoff game.

Cole Hamels has been lights out since the Chicago Cubs acquired him on July 27.

If the Cubs make the postseason, Hamels must be the team’s top starting pitcher. Really, the decision should be quite easy for manager Joe Maddon (though September could change things).

I won’t get too deep into Hamels’ success with the Cubs, but some of his numbers are worthy of note. Following his start Tuesday, the left-hander has a 0.69 ERA in six appearances with the Cubs. He has 38 strikeouts to just 11 walks.

The Cubs’ starting rotation has been the team’s Achilles heel for much of 2018. The rotation’s 3.88 first-half ERA left much to be desired, especially when considering the money spent in the offseason on Tyler Chatwood and Yu Darvish.