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When the Cubs traded for Cole Hamels, the knee-jerk reaction was that fans would be happy if he could simply be better than Tyler Chatwood every fifth day. Anything better than that would be gravy.
Well, then tonight was sweet, sweet gravy.
Solid #Cubs debut for @ColeHamels! #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/5DdIviZi3G
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 2, 2018
Cole Hamels finished his @Cubs debut with 9 strikeouts and 0 ER.
Only 3 other Cubs pitchers have done that in their debut since ER became official in the NL in 1912.
H/T @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/rKMzraqsEg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 2, 2018
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Hamels maxed out at 96.1 mph on fastball, averaged 93.8. Got 14 total swinging strikes, 8 on the changeup. Not a bad debut, I'd say.
— Evan Altman (@DEvanAltman) August 2, 2018
Like the rest of the Cubs starters, you’d like to see him go deeper into the game and pitch with more efficiency (95 pitches), but two errors and a catcher’s interference played a large role in Hamels’ high pitch count. Besides, Joe Maddon has a track record of pulling pitchers on a high note in their debuts and returns from the disabled list to keep his guys feeling good about themselves.
All in all, it was an excellent debut for the 34-year-old. Cubs fans will gladly take 10 more of those outings.
