Chicago Cubs: Cole Hamels showing no signs of slowing down

Chicago Cubs: Hamels is a key to the team’s final two months

Working without their regular backstop in Willson Contreras for the foreseeable future, Chicago will rely on the experience of their starters more than ever before. Victor Caratini is servicable – but losing Contreras’ arm behind the plate will surely be a loss.

But between the team’s five starters, Chicago boasts five World Series rings – and countless October innings – something that will be critical as the Cubs look to, at long last, separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

With Hamels sidelined, the rest of the rotation stepped up, keeping the team in the thick of things in the Central. Now that he’s back, he’s more appreciative than ever of his fellow rotation mates holding down the fort.

"“It was great,” Hamels said. “We have a good staff and I think that’s what we have confidence in each other to do. We’re always going to push each other to become better.”"

It might seem like a stretch, but if we keep getting this kind of effort from Hamels (and there’s no reason to think we won’t at this point) – I can’t say I’d be opposed to handing him the ball over Lester or Hendricks to open a potential postseason series, especially if Wrigley Field plays host that contest.