Oct. 1 -- GAME 1 WRAP: POWERED BY COLE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, we had a comment on The Blog recently about whether Cole Hamels is too "soft," an idea that has been floated, I suppose, because of the Phillies' reluctance to use him on three days' rest. I also have received e-mails from folks who wondered if Hamels is truly an ace.

Well, I think we can put that to rest.

Hamels was marvelous today. His nine strikeouts were the most by a Phillies pitcher in a postseason game since Curt Schilling fanned 10 in Game 1 of the 1993 NLCS. Hamels, who was second in the NL with 227-1/3 innings during the regular, went eight innings, allowed two hits and a walk and permitted only one runner to reach second base. He was so good, in fact, that Brewers interim manager Dale Sveum said he actually was happy to see Brad Lidge enter the game in the ninth. Nobody, other than the Phillies, is ever happy to see Lidge.

After the game, Rich Dubee was asked about the perception that Hamels is soft.

"He's not soft," Dubee said. "If anything, he's hard, too hard on himself. I think he took big steps today to understanding where he was delivery-wise and stuff-wise and not trying to max out beyond what he has to do. He understood about keeping his fastball down. He established his changeup. When he got ahead in the count, he went below the strike zone. A lot of times, he'll try to do things even better than he needs to, but today, I thought he matured a ton. He hasn't pitched on three days' rest all year. Knowing his makeup, that's probably why he hasn't because he'd try to grunt and groan his way through things. Cole, he's a competitive kid, he's a perfectionist. When he says he wants to win a Cy Young, throw a no-hitter, those are big goals. To pitch him on three days' rest, I'm not sure he'd be able to control his emotions."

If you're wondering, Hamels won't pitch Game 4, under any circumstances. But he'll be ready to go for Game 5, if necessary, next Tuesday at the Bank. And, if you're the Phillies, is there really anyone else you'd want on the mound in that situation?

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Three reasons why winning Game 1 was critical for the Phillies:

1. CC Sabathia is pitching Game 2, and with the series shifting to Milwaukee after tomorrow, it would've been risky business for the Phillies to lose today. Now, the pressure shifts squarely to the Brewers, who can't afford to fall behind 2-0 in a short series. Fortunately for them, Sabathia is probably the best pitcher in the world.

2. A loss today, at home, with Hamels on the mound, would've raised questions about last year. The Phils are sick of talking about last year, but it all would've been very deja vu-ish. Now, having secured their first postseason win since Oct. 21, 1993, last year is really in the past.

3. Since the best-of-five Division Series began in 1995, teams that win Game 1 have won 35 of the 52 series. Last year, Game 1 winners were 4-0. Obviously, that bodes well for the Phillies.

One other Game 1 note: It was Charlie Manuel's first postseason win since Oct. 13, 2001. His winning pitcher that day with the Indians? Sabathia. Cue the Twilight Zone music.

That's all for tonight. Check back here bright and early for more.