Some argued that Cole Hamels should have been the opening day starter for the Phils in 2008 and Saturday night he showed why. Hamels struck out five while allowing only one hit and no runs in seven innings of work. Since he let up that one hit, Cole took it upon himself to get a double of his own to redeem himself in the bottom of the second inning, and Hamels didn’t give up the Derrek Lee double until the fourth inning (go ahead ColeHamelsFacts.com, that one’s free of charge).

Aside from an impressive outing from their starting pitcher, the Phillies also showed up at the plate. The Phillies offense featured 11 hits, including home runs from Pedro Feliz and Ryan Howard. A struggling Shane Victorino also had a pair of hits, although he would leave the game in the sixth inning with a pulled calf in his right leg.

The win marked the second straight for the Fightin’s, both against the Cubs who entered the 2008 campaign with a high powered offense making them one of the favorites to win the National League pennant. The wins were largely based on two terrific outings from Brett Myers and Cole Hamels. Each went at least seven strong innings and left little work for their bullpen. Perhaps the most satisfying about the Phillies recent play is that their win Saturday night puts them at .500. The Phillies have struggled annually at the beginning of the year, and their fair start (especially against divisional teams) gives hope for another great season in the City of Brotherly Love.

Almost as exciting as the 7-1 victory was news on reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins. Unfortunately it looks like the Phils will be without J-Roll for the rest of the weekend, but he should be ready to go on Tuesday when the Houston Astros come to town for a three-game set.

In other news relating to Philadelphia, the Detroit Tigers are REEEAAALLLLY bad. How does that relate to the Fightin’s? Former Phillie Gavin Floyd–yes–that Gavin Floyd, was un-hittable for 7 1/3 against the awful Tigers who have started the season 2-9.