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Game three of the National League Division Series was just another day at the office for Cole Hamels.

Hamels tossed a complete game shutout as the Phillies advanced to the National League Championship Series for the third consecutive year.

Cole’s performance last night was vintage 2008, when he carried the Phillies to the world championship.

Last season, Hamels was a train wreck very time he stepped on the mound. The young lefty finished the 2009 regular season with a 10-11 record and a career high 4.32 ERA. 

He had a fastball at around 89-91 mph, which led to no command of his devastating changeup throughout the season. This was a recipe for disaster.

Hamels lost all confidence in his abilities to pitch at a high level. After a dreadful World Series start, Hamels maddened Philadelphia fans when he said, “I can’t wait for (the season) to end.”

That was the beginning of a new and dedicated Cole Hamels, who decided to start a new workout regimen to improve his performance and create more secondary pitches.

General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. traded away Cliff Lee last season because he knew Hamels was going to redeem himself in 2010.

Hamels pitched well in spring training with excellent command of his fastball. He had a new cutter and an improved curveball to go with his changeup. This was a recipe for success.

Cole rewarded the Phillies brass for their faith in him as a pitcher. Throughout the season, he continued to dominate in big games that led to the Phillies fourth straight division crown.

Hamels provided insurance for staff ace Roy Halladay and newly acquired Roy Oswalt. 

Cole paved the way for the Phillies to acquire Oswalt, which created the dominant rotation fans see today.

Roy Halladay was the Phillies best pitcher this season and should win the Cy Young award, but Cole Hamels proved why the Phillies did not miss a beat in their rotation.

Cole went 12-11 with a career low 3.06 ERA in 2010, but had the second lowest run support in Major League Baseball. He should have finished the season with 17 to 19 wins.

Hamels was the “X-factor” in the Phillies rotation and the team needed him to bounce back from the 2009 debacle.

He is now a better pitcher than the 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP and can pitch himself into one of the game’s greatest postseason pitchers with a repeat performance from last night.

The Phillies front office took a gamble for believing in Cole Hamels last offseason and they hit the double jackpot with him and Roy Halladay.

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The Philadelphia Phillies finished the regular season with a 97-65 record, which was the best in Major League Baseball this season. 

The Phillies are favored to win the World Series for the second time in three years.  With one of the best offenses in baseball and a starting rotation compared to the Braves power pitchers in the 1990s, the Phillies are on the verge of creating a dynasty. 

Even if the Phillies win a world championship, how can this team improve for 2011 and beyond?  

Here are 10 players this Phillies should pursue over the offseason…

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Congratulations to the Cincinnati Reds for winning the National League Central and advancing to the postseason for the first time since 1995.

The Reds are one of baseball’s young, up-and-coming teams with tons of future superstars in Joey Votto and Aroldis Chapman.

They have excellent veteran leaders in Scott Rolen, Orlando Cabrera, and Brandon Phillips.  Cincinnati’s manager is also one of the game’s best in Dusty Baker.

This team should be a contender to dethrone the Phillies as National League champions in 2010.

Unfortunately, the Reds starting pitching will be their demise.

The Reds do not have a number one pitcher to rely on once the postseason begins next week. Who are they going to throw out there, Bronson Arroyo? He would not be the best pitcher to send out onto the field in an elimination game.

The Reds rotation also remains a question mark even though their starting pitching has tons of depth.  Which Johnny Cueto will show up? Is Edison Volquez back to full strength?

Seriously, this team can not send out Homer Bailey to start a playoff game.

This team will be in major trouble if they have to face the Phillies or the Giants in the NLDS. 

The Phillies are going to send Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt to the mound in their first three games. The Giants have Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez ready to pitch come next week.

Who are the Reds going to send to the mound for games one through three? An average Arroyo, an inconsistent Cueto, and an unhealthy Volquez is not a recipe for postseason success.

Cincinnati’s offense is one of the best in MLB.  They are currently first in the National League in runs (768), home runs (181), and batting average (.271).

Unfortunately, just a good offense is not going to carry a team to a title. Ask the 2007 Phillies or the 1997 Indians if you want proof.

Starting pitching gets the job done in the postseason and the Cincinnati Reds do not have it this season.

Enjoy the postseason Reds’ fans.  Your team may be eliminated before you know it.

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