Hamels gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk over six innings against the Indians on Wednesday. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Neither he nor opposing starter Danny Salazar -- who gave up five runs of his own -- factored into the decision. As Hamels embarks on his age-33 season, he presents an interesting test case. He's seen his WHIP climb in consecutive seasons, including a career-worst 1.31 mark last year, and Texas isn't the best pitching environment; on the other hand, Hamels also struck out 200 hitters (yet again) and posted a 3.32 ERA alongside 15 wins. The veteran lefty's September fade last year was troubling, and it may cause the Rangers to try to find him a bit more rest throughout this season, but Hamels should still post credible fantasy stats.

Hamels needed just 69 pitches to get through six scoreless innings in his final exhibition matchup Friday against the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Hamels surrendered two hits on the evening, but also struck out four batters in the contest. The left-hander had a bit of a rocky start to his spring, but what matters is that he finished strong, surrendering just one earned run over his final 11 frames. Hamels will begin his age-33 season with an April 5 start against Cleveland.

Hamels is expected to start Monday if the Rangers are able to force Game 4 of the ALDS, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers are down 0-2 and will be facing elimination at 7:30 ET on Sunday, but if they are able to extend the series, it sounds like Hamels will take the hill once again. The lefty didn't fare so well in Game 1 of the series, allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out just one Toronto batter in the 82-pitch effort. The Blue Jays are a team that is generally pretty unforgiving against southpaws, launching 53 homers and posting a .168 ISO on the year -- both of which marks are good for No. 10 in all of baseball.

Hamels has been announced as the starting pitcher for Thursday's ALDS opener against the Blue Jays, MLB.com's TR Sullivan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamels did not close the regular season campaign on a high note, watching his ERA go from 2.67 on Aug. 26 to 3.32 at season's end, but he was the team's most consistent starter up to that point, so manager Jeff Banister decided to give him the nod in the team's postseason opener.

Hamels gave up five runs -- three earned -- on eight hits over seven innings against the Brewers on Wednesday. He struck out six without walking anyone.

EDGE Analysis

Some poor defense on the part of the Rangers led to Hamels' first unearned runs since July, and he was actually on his way to a loss before the offense bailed him out. Hamels ends his regular season with a 3.32 ERA, a career-worst 1.31 WHIP and exactly 200 strikeouts in 200.2 innings. With the Rangers heading to the playoffs,they'll need him back on his game, as Hamels struggled mightily down the stretch -- it's hard to complain about his final ERA, but it was 2.67 only a month ago.

Hammels struggled Friday versus the Athletics, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks across six innings. He struck out six and did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Hammels threw 67 percent of his pitches for strikes Friday, but he fell victim to a couple of ill-timed home runs, as he allowed a two-run shot in the fourth inning before surrendering a three-run homer in the sixth inning. He hung in there and went six innings, but he has still posted an ugly ERA of 15.75 across 18 innings in his last four starts. He will look to get back on track Wednesday versus the Angels.

Hamels (14-5) lasted just 1.2 innings and served up seven runs on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts in a loss Monday to Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

The Mariners have had Hamels's number over the past week, tagging him for 13 runs over 6 combined innings in two straight starts. Hamels's ERA has jumped from 2.67 to 3.25 thanks to those two stinkers, and while they shouldn't be enough to worry anybody about his ability to finish strong this September, it might wind up costing Hamels a chance at the American League Cy Young award. He jumped from third in the American League in ERA to eighth as a result of Monday's start alone.

Hamels was rocked over 4.1 innings in Tuesday's no-decision versus the Mariners. He allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

Tuesday's poor performance ended a streak of eight straight starts in which the southpaw allowed no more than three runs. Hamels ERA ballooned from 2.67 to 2.91 in his shortest outing since July 8. Overall, the 32-year-old has been great since the All-Star break, improving his ERA (2.36), BAA (.224) and strikeout rate (9.1 K/9) compared to his first-half marks. Hamels will get another crack at the Mariners when he takes the hill for his next start Tuesday.

Hamels (14-4) struck out eight and scattered two hits over eight scoreless innings in a dominant performance against Cleveland on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

He's now just 0.01 behind Danny Duffy for the American League ERA lead thanks to a run of brilliant work since the All-Star break. Hamels' outstanding second-half run (a 5-2 record, 1.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 58:14 K:BB in 56.2 innings) has put him squarely into the running for the AL Cy Young Award. His overall WHIP's still rather uninspiring -- at 1.23, it's the worst among the AL's top 15 in ERA -- mostly due to an elevated walk rate. But on the whole, it's hard for the Rangers or fantasy owners to quibble with the stats Hamels has given them in this season of high-powered offense.

Hamels (13-4) mowed down 10 Rays while allowing just an earned run on three hits and two walks over 7.1 innings in Friday's 6-2 victory.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw was in vintage form, firing 69 of 104 pitches for strikes and notching an impressive 15 swinging strikes overall. Hamels now has five straight quality starts but has only gone 2-2 over that span due to lack of run support in some of those appearances. He'll look to keep his solid stretch of pitching going when he takes on the Reds next Wednesday.