Rangers Report: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not

Sep 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux (31) talks with pitcher Cole Hamels (35) during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Hot: Cole Hamels

Hamels was brought into the Rangers clubhouse to do one thing, and that is win big games in September and October. I know the individual stats may not be there, but he is absolutely on fire in the most important statistic, and that is wins.

There is no stat to judge the confidence that a team has in someone, and this Rangers ball club exudes confidence when he is on the mound. The Rangers have won five straight starts of his, and they play extremely well when he is on the mound. I know that his stats this past week aren’t overly impressive, as he sports a 5.14 ERA and allowing eight hits. But, Hamels has gone at least seven innings in all but one start during this five-start win streak, including eight innings three outings ago.

His big test will be his matchup with the first place Houston Astros, and something tells me he will be lights out. Big time pitchers pitch well in big time games, and Hamels certainly fits the bill in that regard.

Next: Cold: Elvis Andrus