If Cole Hamels is off, the Phillies' chances to succeed are low. A mediocre performance from Cole Monday night doomed the Phillies as they lost the series opener to the Reds.
On a night where the Phillies added two young players to their minor league system, we sat and watched a team that has aged before our eyes, and has not aged very well. Almost every fifth day, Cole Hamels' left arm has at least given us a reason to watch this team. There is truly nothing more crushing these days than when Hamels doesn't give us that reason to watch.