Hamels continues his dominant season

WASHINGTON -- This is shaping up for quite a season for Phillies lefthander Cole Hamels. Despite missing the first three weeks due to biceps tendonitis, and then getting off to a slow start, Hamels has simply been one of baseball's best pitchers.

He'll take the mound today in Washington with the best ERA (2.50) and adjusted ERA (148) in his career. He is seventh in MLB in ERA and eighth in adjusted ERA, which adjusts a pitcher's ERA according to the ballpark. (An average ERA+ is 100).

Hamels has also had his lowest HR/9 innings of his career, allowing 0.6.

Oh yes, he's coming off six no-hit innings during the Phillies combined no-hitter in Monday's 7-0 win over Atlanta.

Today Hamels (8-6,, 2.50) will face LHP Gio Gonzalez (7-9, 3.89) in the series finale between the Phillies and Washington Nationals.

The Phillies have won 12 of their last 17 and playing at a high level.

Hamels has been doing this virtually the entire season. Throw out his first three starts and his ERA drops to 2.00.

The Phillies, who are 12-5 in their last 17 games, are resting Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Ben Revere.  Freddy Galvis starts at second and Darin Ruf at first and Tony Gwynn Jr. is in center.

Revere is tied for second in the National League in batting (.314). Pittsburgh's Josh Harrison (.315) leads the N.L. in batting.

The Philies are 0-8 in their last eight Sunday road games. They haven't won a Sunday game on the road since April 27 when they earned a 2-0 victory over Arizona.

With 21 games left the Phillies are 7.5 games out of the second wild-card spot. The fact we're even mentioning this shows how far the Phillies have come in the last few weeks.

Here is the Phillies lineup

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS

2. Grady Sizemore, LF

3. Carlos Ruiz, C

4. Marlon Byrd, RF

5. Darin Ruf, 1B

6. Maikel Franco, 3B

7. Freddy Galvis, 2B

8. Tony Gwynn Jr. CF

9. Cole Hamels, P