The Daily Philadelphian

Cole Hamels lasted just 5.1 innings in Thursday's NLCS playoff game.

A return to Southern California as a newly minted father of a healthy baby boy was supposed to help Cole Hamels return to his 2008 playoff form.

Mission failed.

Hamels lasted just 5.1 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits in Game 1 of the NLCS on Thursday. Hamels left with a 5-4 lead and may ultimately get the win. However, the Phillies then needed to go to the bullpen.

Forcing your relievers to pitch nearly four innings in the first game of the series is not the best way to start. That’s especially true for a team that has a weak bullpen to start with. That’s especially true for a team that is starting Pedro Martinez in Game 2.

Martinez has shown flashes of brilliance since joining the Phillies staff in August. However, he has also been injured and had some shaky stats.

Add to that the fact that Pedro can’t go more than 100 pitches, and Uncle Charlie will likely need to go to his bullpen by the 6th inning again on Friday.

Using your bullpen that much so early in the series could come back to bite the Phillies where it counts later.

If only Cole could find his playoff MVP form. For now, hope Cliff Lee continues his dominance and can go the distance on Sunday.