Definition of ace. 733 comments


The only Rangers starting pitcher with a win in the last month is Cole Hamels.

The only Rangers starting pitcher with a win in the last month is Cole Hamels.

 

Since coming to the Rangers almost one year ago on July 31, Cole Hamels is 19-3.

That is nothing compared to what he has done for the Rangers since the All-Star break.

Texas is a disappointing 5-8 since their badly needed rest. Hamels, however, is 3-0 in three starts. In fact, since June 28, exactly one month ago, Hamels is the only Rangers starting pitcher to earn a win.

I will let you re-read that. Since June 28, exactly one month ago, Hamels is the only Rangers starting pitcher to earn a win. In fact, I will put that in a caption under his picture at the top of this article so it really sinks in.

In his three starts since the break, Hamels has stopped two four-game losing streaks and one two-game losing streak.

Better, Hamels has twice pitched eight complete innings in his three post-All-Star starts. That is huge. Because that leaves the mercurial Rangers bullpen to pitch just one inning in those games. Every inning the Rangers bullpen pitches increases the odds exponentially that the Rangers will lose.

Last night might have been his best game as a Ranger. Hamels struck out twelve and held the Royals to 0-11 with runners in scoring position.

Cole Hamels is not just the Rangers’ ace, he is the Rangers’ saving grace.

*****
TODAY’S GAME:

Screen Shot 2016-07-27 at 11.53.45 PM

Edinson Volquez (8-8, 4.56) vs. A. J. Griffin (3-1 , 4.06)
Game time: 7:05 pm

How the Royals hit against Griffin.
How the Rangers hit against Volquez.