Hamels, who spent his entire career with Philadelphia before getting dealt to Texas at the trade deadline, is also starting to find his comfort zone in the clubhouse. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
ARLINGTON, Texas — Four starts in and Cole Hamels is starting to find his comfort zone with the Texas Rangers.
Hamels, who won his first game with the Rangers over the weekend in Detroit, will make his fifth start Friday against Baltimore. And he’ll do so having settled into his regular routine with his new team.
“A routine is what gives you that sort of confidence, gives you that comfort in knowing how to prepare for the game in the right way,” Hamels said. “When you’re able to do that, you just have to realize experience and confidence is really what dictates success. So now I’ve gotten to pitch to both catchers (Bobby Wilson, Chris Gimenez) multiple times. I’ve thrown in the bullpen and I’ve developed a good relationship.”
Hamels, who spent his entire career with Philadelphia before getting dealt to Texas at the trade deadline, is also starting to find his comfort zone in the clubhouse. He said the Rangers remind him of his time in Philadelphia when the Phillies were in the midst of a five-year run of going to the playoffs from 2007 to 2011.
The Rangers, who made the postseason from 2010-2012, have similar characteristics and he said stars Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre have led the charge.
“There’s really good team camaraderie here,” he said. “There’s a comfort. You’re able to have fun, but in a serious manner. Guys aren’t offended. Several of us new guys came right in and they accepted us. It’s really been encouraging and we’ve been able to mix right in.”
