You saw it coming, but the Phillies made it official anyway: Cole Hamels will be the Phillies Opening Day starter April 1 in Atlanta.
The order has been aligned since the beginning of Spring Training, so it’s no surprise, as Hamels will be followed by Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. Kyle Kendrick is penciled in as the fourth starter and would pitch the home opener against the Royals, John Lannan No. 5.
It really doesn’t mean much. With the big contract in tow and with a struggling/aging Roy Halladay, it’s now Hamels’ rotation to lead; so in that regard it’s somewhat symbolic. The torch being passed.
If the Phillies are to go places this season, much weight rests on the shoulder and arm of their $144 million pitcher.
Pat GallenPat joined Phillies Nation in July 2009, coming over from Examiner.com. As a previous employee of both Comcast SportsNet and the National Basketball Association, Pat prides himself on being a well-rounded individual when it comes to sports. However, the Phillies are first on the list. You’ll usually find Pat chiming in on the Phillies Nation Facebook or Twitter account, weekdays on 97.3 ESPN radio or hosting Phillies Nation TV. He’s also a Senior Writer for the site, and in his free time is a music enthusiast and Will Ferrell movie-follower. His favorite beer: Philly’s own Yards. In 2015, Pat moved on from Phillies Nation as a sports anchor and reporter for CBS-3 in Philadelphia.
