Chicago Cubs finally made a move in the trade deadline game. They acquired Cole Hamels for next-to-nothing from the Texas Rangers. Hamels is a free agent at the end of this season, and he’s been dreadful over the last few games. Chicago decided to take a lottery ticket on him and increase some pressure on the Brewers. Chicago adds another lefty to their rotation and a player with a ton of postseason experience. Still, there’s no reason to think Hamels will be the difference maker for this Cubs team.

Chicago is hoping that the problems with Hamels stem from playing at Arlington. The home/road splits are drastic for him giving up 16 home runs at home and having a huge earned run average. But it’s not like Wrigley Field is Petco Park. It’s still a very difficult place to pitch. I realize Hamels has a no-hitter there, but it’s a very challenging ballpark especially when you need to get right. Part of the Cubs’ problems this year with pitching is they believe they can fix someone, and it hasn’t worked. It didn’t work with Yu Darvish. It blew up in their faces with Tyler Chatwood. What makes us think that Hamels will be any different?

Cubs are now lefty-heavy in their rotation which could be a good or bad thing depending on matchups. They have Jose Quintana, Jon Lester, Mike Montgomery and Hamels. That’s four of five starters being lefties. I cannot imagine they’re going to use Chatwood still in their rotation, but as a Brewers fan, I do not mind.

The race is on.

Charlie.