VIDEO: Cole Hamels Trolls Himself and Jon Lester Over Their Terrible August Performances With Cubs
By Michael Luciano
August hasn't been kind to the Chicago Cubs' veteran starting pitchers, as Jon Lester and Cole Hamels have been getting beat up with increasing regularity over the last month. At least they can smile through the pain, though. Hamels took a slight dig at their performances this month, claiming they're having a competition to see who can be the worst pitcher.
Lester is currently winning this race ever so slightly, as his 10.93 ERA in three August starts is barely worse than Hamels' 10.80 ERA in August.
Hamels' ERA was also inflated by a rough return to his old stomping grounds in Philadelphia. Hamels gave up eight runs in two innings as the Cubs were curb-stomped by the Phillies thanks to a pair of Bryce Harper home runs.
Hamels' ERA on the season is 3.69 even after the Phillies teed off on him, while Lester is sitting at an unsightly 4.43 this season.
Cubs fans are certainly hoping this battle of the pitchers turns into something a bit more positive over the next two weeks.