Hamels aims for dominance of last fall

MILWAUKEE -- Last October, left-hander Cole Hamels looked invincible, which is a great thing to be in the postseason.

But Hamels (10-9, 4.11 ERA) has learned in his short career that the feeling of invincibility can be fleeting. He has been knocked around this season, and thus he seemed to relate to what happened to Brad Lidge late Wednesday night at Land Shark Stadium, where the closer blew his Major League-leading 11th save of the season.

Phillies at a glance 2009 record: 93-69 2008 record: 92-70 NL East champs NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Information WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Madson: Back in business • Werth: Heart of the order • Rollins: Awaiting breakout • Focus: One game at a time • Manuel: Mix & match • Howard: Ready for lefties • Stairs: Shot reverberates • Manuel: New rules for 'pen • Blanton: Arm around team • Pedro: Return to spotlight • Ibanez: Eyes on prize • Rollins: '07 irrelevant • Lidge: Still an option • Lidge: Killer cutter • Roster: Mulling options • Ibanez: Perfect fit • Hamels: Path of the pros • Amaro: Bold decisions • Pedro: Elated to play part • Rollins: No more predictions • Hamels: Back in business • Pitching: Staff in flux • Manuel: Keeps 'em focused • Hamels: Aims for dominance • Lineup: Imperfect but solid • Lee: Ready for playoff debut • Howard: The evolution • Rollins: Excelling on defense • Rotation: Not just big two • Manuel: Steady as she goes • Rollins: Eyes on '09 drama • Howard: The 'Big Piece' • Lee: Lifting Phils' hopes More Phillies coverage • Howard ties Gehrig's postseason RBI record Bats, Lee team up for rout in Game 3 Howard's RBI streak sets playoff mark Postseason going brilliant-Lee for lefty Blanton seeks return to clutch form Upbeat Moyer happy to rejoin club Phils rounding into title form Manuel committed to Lidge Cold temperatures will be a challenge Pedro brilliant, but Phils falter late in Game 2 Pedro masterful in return to big stage Utley at center of defensive struggles Phillies turn to Lee for Game 3 Phillies warmed by return to chilly home Bullpen woes return in Game 2 loss Bodley: Utley error opens door Phillies' power capitalizes on free passes Mix-and-match relief works vs. LA Phils edge Rockies for 2-1 NLDS lead Lidge finds redemption in crucial spot Umps admit missing call on Utley hit Given extra day, Phils to go with Happ Phillies glad to see Game 3 postponed Extra off-day alters clubs' options Winter-like weather forces Game 3 postponement Postponements a postseason tradition Myers feeling good after playoff outing Hamels to rejoin Phillies after birth of son Moyer in hospital with blood infection Phils rally, but must settle for split Clubs trade places for Game 3 Pedro, Blanton, Happ up for Game 3 nod Chilly reception awaits in Denver It's not sunny in Philadelphia for Hamels Hamels leaves to be with wife in labor Kalas still a presence in Phils' house Utley battling past late-season struggles Phillies, Rockies fill familiar roles Lee masterful in opening victory Phillies show patience, break through Running shoes put to good use Wind makes for wild afternoon Hamels unhappy with starting times Phils will use all bullpen options Avenging '07 not on Phils' minds Reserves shine in regular-season finale With loss, Phils plan ahead for NLDS Phils remain one back for home-field Phils fall game back for best record Phils clinch third straight NL East crown Eyeing historic postseason run NLDS opponent to be determined Phils power way closer to clinch Moyer exits game with left groin strain Manuel talks to Phils behind closed doors Phils hold on, lower magic number to 3 Walk-off slows Phils in Milwaukee Two mistakes cost Lee, Phillies dearly Pedro scratched, Kendrick to start Happ strong as Phillies pound Brewers After twin-bill split with Fish, Phils focus on finale Phils wait out rain, win finale over Braves Phils have hard road to repeat glory Manuel wants Phillies to turn it up a notch Finishing strong motivates Phillies Kendrick shines in first start Lidge endures roller-coaster week

Hamels, who went 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five starts last postseason, was 7-8 with a 4.78 ERA after 24 starts this season. The Phillies were just 12-12 in those starts, and his ERA was fifth-highest in the National League through Aug. 21.

His postseason magic hadn't guaranteed him success in 2009.

"When you do struggle and you're trying to come back, in those struggles you seem to put yourself away from being invincible," Hamels said following Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Marlins. "When you're invincible, teams don't want to face you. Also when you come back to the norm, teams feel they can hit you. They have that confidence, and when a team has confidence in anybody going out to the mound, they're going to put hits together no matter what.

"These guys are big league hitters. That's the thing. You basically have to put the fear in them and make them uncomfortable, because that's how you get the guys out. Once they start getting that confidence, it's not to your advantage. You really have to focus and bear down and execute pitch after pitch after pitch. You [have to] bring it back to where you are the ultimate guy, and they're not hoping to face you anymore."

But Hamels, who was slow to round into form because of an elbow injury that forced him to miss a portion of Spring Training, had time to turn around his season. And he has, going 3-1 with a 2.01 ERA in his past six starts.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, Lidge has only 11 games left in which to fix his problems.

But while the Phillies hope that Lidge will find his own feeling of invincibility, they seem to have Hamels back to form. Everybody remembers how dominant Hamels was last fall, when he earned both National League Championship Series and World Series Most Valuable Player honors.

They will need him to be equally as dominant this postseason, especially if the Phillies' bullpen continues to struggle.