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Texas Rangers rumors: Cole Hamels expected to start a possible Game 4

Jeff Wilson says that Cole Hamels is expected to start tomorrow if the Rangers extend the series

By Adam J. Morris
Division Series - Toronto Blue Jays v Texas Rangers - Game One Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Texas Rangers rumors: Cole Hamels will get the start for the Rangers against the Toronto Blue Jays if there is a Game 4 in the ALDS tomorrow, according to Jeff Wilson on Twitter.

I’m not a huge fan of this move...Hamels has not looked right lately (I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out he has a knee issue that requires treatment or surgery after the season), and was shelled in Game 1 against the Jays. Martin Perez is the other option for Game 4, and while he’s not as good as Hamels, he would be working off of regular rest, while Hamels would be pitching on short rest. Hamels has never started a game on short rest before.

Jeff Banister has talked in the past about not being a fan of using pitchers on short rest in the playoffs, citing data that shows they generally underperform. That being said, it appears that, in a potential do-or-die game, the Rangers would prefer Hamels, even with those limitations.