Chicago Cubs have another stopper in left-hander Cole Hamels

Looking to avoid a sweep Wednesday, Chicago Cubs veteran Cole Hamels buckled down and delivered his second straight scoreless start in a lopsided win.

The Chicago Cubs felt Cole Hamels would play an integral role for the team in 2019 – so much so they chose to pick up his $20 million team option for this season. Most people expected the team to decline said option, then perhaps renegotiate a new deal with the veteran left-hander. But, to this point, you can make the argument that he’s not only been worth every penny – but has dramatically improved the rotation.

In a blowout 10-1 win over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field Wednesday, Hamels did it all. The southpaw turned in seven scoreless innings, striking out nine and scattering a half-dozen knocks, lowering his ERA on the year to a staff-leading 2.98.

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Hamels has not allowed an earned run in his three June starts – a stretch spanning 22 innings. During that stretch, he has given up only 11 hits and owns a 23-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Chicago has won two of those three starts, with the lone loss coming to the Cardinals on June 2, when he was outdueled by Adam Wainwright at Busch Stadium.

The lefty told MLB.com that aside from getting to see teams before he pitches against them, he’s made some tweaks to his delivery that have led to his recent success.

“Really just trying to make a mechanical change that I think was not allowing me to utilize the pitches that I have with effectiveness,” Hamels said. “With making that change, I’m able to now get the right results. The pitches are doing exactly what I hope they’ll do with the intention to establish all parts of the zone, and with the hard and soft [pitches] too.

Hamels also collected a pair of hits and drove in two runs in the win – one filled with beanball drama that went back-and-forth all afternoon. Chicago’s four through eight hitters (Javier Baez, Carlos Gonzalez, Victor Caratini, Jason Heyward and Hamels) all collected two hits in the win.

Baez belted a mammoth shot in the late innings, before taking his time circling the bases – something many interpreted as a direct response to the hit by pitches earlier in the game. The homer marked Baez’s 17th on the year and his latest exploit on the path back to becoming a National League MVP finalist. 

Hamels’ rotation mate, Chicago ace Jon Lester, has long been viewed as the team’s ‘stopper’. In other words, when the Cubs’ backs are against the wall and they need a win, he’s the guy who gets the ball. But you can make the case that this year, the team has multiple guys who can fill that role, including Hamels, who, in his mid-30s is experiencing a rejuvenation on the North Side.

You might think the Cubs could have better spent the money that went to retaining Hamels this offseason. But to this point, he’s done everything he can to silence people with that mindset. He’s delivering on a day-in, day-out basis – and has only looked stronger as the season has continued.