The Philadelphia Phillies have named Cole Hamels their Opening Day starting pitcher, according to Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News.
This comes as no surprise because many projected that Hamels would easily win the role. Hamels is the clear ace of the struggling Phillies staff. The wins will be down this year, but he will probably get traded before the deadline.
The 31-year-old went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA in 2014. Hamels pitched in 204.2 innings over 30 games, all of them starts. He gave up 176 hits, 60 runs (56 earned), 14 home runs, and 59 walks while striking out 198 batters. Hamels held a 1.148 WHIP and a 3.36 walk-to-strikeout ratio over the 2014 season.
This spring, Hamels has struggled with a 0-1 record and a 5.17 ERA. The right-hander has pitched in 15.2 innings over five games, all of them started. He has given up 16 hits, nine runs (nine earned), four homers and seven walks. However, he has struck out 14 hitters. Hamels holds a 2.00 walk-to-strikeout ratio and a 1.468 WHIP so far this spring.