Cole Hamels Strikes Out Nine Pirates, Gets Win in Cubs Debut

The Chicago Cubs went after pitching in the days before the non-waiver trade deadline, and picked up two relievers and a starter. The starter was veteran left hander Cole Hamels, acquired from the Texas Rangers. Hamels, who began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006 and was traded to Texas in July of 2015, has pitched well against the Cubs in his career, going 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA; he pitched a no-hitter at Wrigley Field in his last start for the Phillies before being traded to Texas. If nothing else, at least Hamels wouldn’t be pitching against the Cubs for some other National League team if a league rival had acquired him.

Hamels made his first start for the Cubs at Pittsburgh on August 1st, and it was a successful debut. He pitched five innings and struck out nine Pirates, walked two, and allowed just three hits as the Cubs beat the Pirates 9-2.

Other than Jon Lester, who is 12-4 with a 3.22 ERA, other Cub starters have been inconsistent this season. Chicago has a pretty good bullpen, which was also strengthened near the trading deadline with the addition of veteran relievers Brandon Kintzler from Washington and another former Ranger, Jesse Chavez. The bullpen and the offense have the Cubs in the lead by one game over the Milwaukee Brewers in the N.L. Central, and they are seven in front of the surprising Pirates.