Phillies’ Hamels looks to regain form against his hero

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Growing up in San Diego, Cole Hamels learned to throw a changeup by watching Padres closer Trevor Hoffman. But the pitchers he emulated were left-handers Tom Glavine and Andy Pettitte. Tonight he’ll get to face one of his heroes in Game 3 of the World Series, weather permitting. (Game time is 4:57 p.m. PDT.)

‘I watched Andy Pettitte a lot growing up,’ Hamels said. ‘Andy Pettitte and Tom Glavine. They were always in the playoffs. They always pitched big games and they won.’

That would have been a fair description of Hamels last year. The left-hander won four of his five postseason starts and was voted MVP of the both the National League Championship Series and World Series. It’s been a different story this season, though, with Hamels battling injuries and ineffectiveness to go 10-11 with a career-high 4.32 ERA during the regular season, then going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three playoff starts.

‘Some of it was I wasn’t able to locate as well earlier in the season.’ Hamels said of his struggles. ‘And then it gets frustrating because I’ve been able to locate pitches or be able to throw to hitters and get guys out that you know you should get out and you’re not. So that becomes frustrating. Then it’s the mental burden which can kind of wear you down week after week of not being able to go out there and do what you’re expecting yourself to do.’

A big effort tonight could erase all of that, Hamels said.

‘It’s just coming back and delivering,’ he said. ‘And I still have an opportunity to help this team out and win some big games.’

-- Kevin Baxter