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Hamels returns to give Phillies' staff a boost

Sep 18, 2007 - 2:25 PM Philadelphia (81-69) at St Louis (70-79) 8:10 pm EDT

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies have stayed in the National League postseason race due to their offense. On Tuesday, their beleaguered pitching staff will get a huge boost.

All-Star lefthander Cole Hamels returns from the disabled list Tuesday when the surging Phillies continue a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Phillies won their fifth straight on Monday, as Ryan Howard hit a pair of home runs, including a grand slam, in a 13-11 win.

Philadelphia, which is just 2 1/2 games behind the New York Mets (83-66) in the NL East Division, has hung around largely by outslugging it opponents.

The Phillies are first in the NL in runs, OPS and tied for first in average, while the team ERA is third-to-last in the NL at 4.84.

However, Hamels has not been a contributor to that horrid ERA. The 24-year-old southpaw has been the team's best starter and was 14-5 with a 3.50 ERA before being placed on the DL on August 17 with a mild elbow strain.

Hamels went 3-0 with a 2.78 ERA in his last five starts prior to the injury.

Meanwhile, St. Louis, which has lost 11 of its last 12 games, will give Todd Wellemeyer (3-3, 5.16) his first start since July 8.

Kip Wells was scheduled to start but has been largely ineffective this season, going winless in his last five starts.

St. Louis has fallen out of the NL Central race and trails the Chicago Cubs (79-72) by eight games with 13 to play.