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Hamels looks for repeat performance against Cubs

Aug 28, 2008 - 10:08 AM PHILADELPHIA (73-60) at CHI CUBS (83-50), 8:05pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- It was more than four months ago, but the Chicago Cubs certainly remember the last time they saw Cole Hamels.

In an April 12 meeting between the Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Hamels limited Chicago's powerful offense to one hit in a 7-1 victory. On Thursday, the Cubs get the chance to return the favor.

An innocent ,fourth-inning double by Derrek Lee was all they got off Hamels in their previous meeting. Other than that, the Cubs' offense was nowhere. The Phillies' lefthanded ace tossed seven dominant innings, striking out five and walking two.

Fast forward and both clubs find themselves in the playoff chase. Philadelphia's grasp on its second straight postseason berth is more tenuous, however. Its five-game winning streak was snapped in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the New York Mets, dropping the Phillies a half-game back of the Mets in the National League East.

It doesn't get any easier in the wild-card race, where they sit in third place, four behind the Milwaukee Brewers and a half-game back of the surprising St. Louis Cardinals.

It may be a division title or bust.

Still, the Phillies have won eight of their last 10 and their catalyst, 2007 National League MVP Jimmy Rollins, is finally hitting. The veteran shortstop is 9 for his last 12, including a five-hit, three-RBI performance in an 8-7, come-from-behind victory over the Mets on Tuesday.

Hamels (11-8, 3.20 ERA) has been at his best lately, tool. He has won his last two starts, giving up three runs over 15 innings, striking out eight without walking a batter.

The Cubs' starter is no slouch, either. All-Star righthander Ryan Dempster (15-5, 2.85) has won his last three starts, including a 10-strikeout performance in six innings of a 9-2 victory over Florida on August 17.

The Cubs have won five in a row and are on their way to clinching home-field advantage in the playoffs by mid-September. Their closest competition in the National League standings is the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers (77-56), who are six games behind.