In his six starts since becoming a Chicago Cub, Cole Hamels is 4-0 with a 0.69 ERA and one complete game.

In his five starts before being traded, Cole Hamels was 1-3 with a 10.234 ERA.

He went from Matt Moore to Jacob deGrom. That’s quite a transformation. How did it happen? Hamels attributes his turnaround to his pitching coaches.

From the Rangers.

Hamels told Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic that his turnaround started long before his trade. It just didn’t show up.

Early in the season he noticed his velocity was down, to 91.6 miles per hour. So, he turned to Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail and assistant pitching coach Don Warthen for help.

They broke down everything. By July his velocity was up to 93. But he said the results didn’t immediately follow. In fact, his fastball was being crushed. Opponents were hitting .579 off it. Ouch.

But he said he did see improvement in how he was releasing the ball. He felt he was close to a breakthrough. Then he got traded.

According to Hamels, his turnaround started before he left. He felt it even though the results weren’t there. By the time he was traded, it all clicked.

It’s easy to scorn the Rangers pitching coaches. And often it’s warranted. But hearing Cole Hamels give them credit for a turnaround they won’t see the fruits of was refreshing.

Now, if only they could turn around pitchers who were actually staying around.

*****
TODAY’S GAME:

Stephan Gonsalves (0-2, 11.37) vs. Drew Hutchison (2-2, 6.52)
Game time: 7:05

How the Twins hit against Hutchison.
The Rangers have never hit against Gonsalves.