May 15, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels (35) sits in the dugout as the Phillies bat during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Something has been weird about Cole Hamels all year long. And Wednesday’s performance against the Cleveland Indians only perpetuated that weirdness.

Hamels struggled with his command from the first pitch all the way to pitch #106 in the Phils’ 10-4 loss to the Indians, lasting just five innings while giving up five earned runs on six hits, two walks, and a hit batsman, including two home runs and three doubles. Seven of the first 12 batters he faced ran three-ball counts against him.

It was ugly from the get-go.

Charlie Manuel, Rich Dubee and Cole himself all swear he is not injured. All say his location issues, the increase in his walk rate, the decrease in his strikeout rate, and the rest of his seeming mechanical issues are not the result of some pain for which the left-hander is compensating.

Yeah, I know. That song sounds a lot like that old Roy Halladay chestnut, doesn’t it?

“I’m constantly making adjustments. I feel healthy, I feel strong. I’m able to throw all four pitches for strikes at times, but I’m not able to do it nine out of 10 times,” Hamels said. “Especially when you’re not able to do it right off the bat to get ahead of the hitter, you’re not putting them in an uncomfortable at-bat and then you have to nibble away and that’s not what you want to do.

“That’s especially true with certain teams and hitters like Cleveland. They’re very patient hitters. Shoot, they’ve been hot for six weeks, so I just have to keep tinkering until it finally locks in and I feel comfortable with what I’m doing and confident in what I’m doing … and I’m able to go out there and get the results.” – quote per CSN Philly’s John Finger

“If you look, the way he’s throwing the ball, I don’t think there’s nothing with his arm or nothing, because his velocity is good, he’s using his pitches,” Manuel said. “Right now, the last few games, he’s having trouble locating his pitches, commanding his pitches, commanding the strike zone.”

Manuel’s point is valid. And according to Fangraphs, Hamels’ stuff is the same as it’s always been.

Hamels’ velocity on his fastball last year was 90.9 mph. This year, he’s averaging 91.3. Last year, the velocity on his cutter was 88.1 mph, this year it’s 87.9, which is almost exactly the same. The curveball velocity last year was 75.7, this year it’s 75.4. And the change-up last year was 83.9 mph, this year it’s 83.3.

In other words, virtually no change.

So, what gives? Why has his walk rate jumped from 6.0% to a career worst 10.1%? Why has his strikeout rate dropped from 24.9% to a career-worst 19.8%? Why is his home run rate the highest it’s ever been?

Clearly, no one wants to panic yet and, as the Philadelphia Daily News’ David Murphy noted today, Hamels has gone through stretches like this before and things have turned out just fine. And really, despite the control issues and increase in walks, Hamels had pitched well his last six games, giving up no more than three earned runs in any of those starts while pitching at least six innings in each outing.

And yet, Wednesday’s start against Cleveland was disconcerting to say the least. The Phillies cannot continue to lose games started by Cole Hamels the way they have so far in 2013. They are 1-8 in his nine starts, and that can’t continue if this is going to be a team that wants to reach October.

Of course, Hamels’ troubles this year have not been all of his own doing. The offense has hung him out to dry on numerous occasions.

But something is going on with Hamels. Maybe he’s just fouled up and there really is nothing physically wrong with him. Maybe it’ll just click in his next start, and we’ll see the Hamels we’ve grown accustomed to seeing.

Hopefully, Hamels can figure out what the issues are with his location and why he hasn’t been as sharp this year as in recent years.

And hopefully, it’s not because his left arm is about to explode.

There’s not a thing that happens on the baseball diamond that can’t be solved with an enjoyable night of moving pictures!

Those Philadelphia Phillies were at it again, having a night out with no baseball, just some friends and movies!

The film?  Star Trek: Into Darkness.  The audience? None other than Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Erik Kratz, Chad Durbin, and Ruben Amaro!  Having fun, fellas?  Ha ha, have at it!

The highly anticipated film is the story of Captain James T. Kirk, now played by the dashing Chris Pine, as he continues his quest to keep the galaxy safe while fighting inner demons and bedding half the military!  Go get ‘um, Captain!

Meanwhile, the vicious villain, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, turns London into ash!  This means war for our boys!

No word yet on just how much the Phillies enjoyed the film, but if this picture is any indication, they certainly liked the poster!  Check out Cole Hamels’ wife, Heidi, enjoying life amongst the stars!  Star players, that is! 

Down in Miami, those pesky Marlins had a smilar idea, hosting Star Trek night at Marlins Park – though it seems some wires may have gotten crossed!  Looking good, boys!  But not too good!

Poor Jesse.  He has the night of his life. Jesse’s 16-strikeout was vastly impressive, but it was only one game.  Before labeling him an elite, high ceiling prospect with immediate effect in the big leagues, let’s wait until a larger sample size accumulates before we start comparing him to… to Cole Hamels, yeah.

If there’s anything a young, really young, pitcher needs to accompany him on his journey through the minor leagues, it’s the crippling pressure of an organization/fan base.  But really, Jesse brought this on himself!  Going out there, doing the best he can, wanting to strike every one out… these aren’t the actions of someone asking for more and more responsibility.

And now, Jesse gets to babysit us while we wait through some crappy seasons for his arrival.  And then, when he gets here and isn’t our savior, or is traded at the deadline for Ryan Sweeney so we can make a misguided push for the second Wild Card, we can blame all of our problems on him.

On the plus side, a comparison to Cole Hamels isn’t even really that good anymore.  I mean, have you even seen his box scores?  The dude is 0-3.  What other stat do you need to see to realize he’s got a dead arm?  Other, more accurate ones?  Please.  You’re living in a dream world.

So, the only way out of this for Biddle seems to be to either accept his new status and hope that Cole Hamels isn’t good anymore or fake his death.

Being on the Phillies is hard.