Last night as Cole Hamels walked to the dugout in the eighth inning he had completed another brilliant outing. He pitched seven-and-a-third innings, allowing five hits and no earned runs. With the Phillies leading 4-0 and Chad Durbin entering the game, most fans would be happy the Phillies were on their way to their 76th victory of the season. While all were happy the Fightin’s were about to put away the Nationals and snap their seven game winning streak, fans were focused on something else.

Would Hamels start on Sunday in New York?

With the Phillies trailing the Mets by two games, this weekend’s three game set in New York could make or break the Phillies’ season. With the red hot Brett Myers pitching Friday’s opener, and the ageless Jamie Moyer going Saturday, the only question of the series was who would start Sunday night against Johan Santana. It was Kyle Kendrick’s turn in the rotation, but given his recent struggles (3-5, 6.35 ERA since the All-Star Break), he’s the last player you want to give the ball to with the season potentially on the line. The other options were J.A. Happ, who had a good outing against the Mets and Santana earlier this season, or Hamels.

Hamels spot in the rotation was scheduled for Monday, but with tomorrow’s off day, he could throw Sunday on normal rest. The biggest snag could have been Hamels. He tends to be his own man when it comes to pitching, and if he doesn’t want to pitch, he won’t (who could forget last September when Hamels went on the DL with a sore elbow, and would only return if the Phillies were in a pennant race?).

After the game, Hamels dodged any questions pertaining to Sunday, and chose to focus on his 21st quality start of the season. Just because Hamels didn’t want to discuss it, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t the main story on WIP and at the office water cooler.

It didn’t stop there as it got Phillies management talking. Pitching coach Rich Dubee originally said “TBA” would be on the hill Sunday for the Phillies. He later clarified “TBA” would be Hamels or Happ, effectively removing Kendrick from the rotation (at least for now), but an announcement was scheduled to be made on Thursday.

Well the Phillies chose to end the speculation and named Hamels the starter for Sunday.

“The main guy, when it’s the playoffs or the division championship or the big division rivalry, that’s what I want to be. It’s time to step up to the plate, and I know that I’m ready for it.”, said Hamels

I applaud management for not waiting to name a starter, and get it out of the way. The Phillies need to focus on tonight’s game against the Nationals, not fielding questions from the press as to who will start on Sunday.

While there was some temporary drama surrounding Sunday’s starter, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind Hamels would be the one getting the nod. He’s the club’s ace, and is the guy you need to hand the ball to when the season is on the line. Hamels is quirky in his own right, but he wants to win. Besides, it’s not as if he’d be going on three days rest.

While the initial concern was this would be the fourth consecutive time that Hamels would be starting on four days rest (a season-high), statistically he’s much better on four days rest (8-2, 2.47 ERA), then on five (4-5, 4.14).