MLB Playoffs 2011: 3 Reasons St. Louis Cardinals Will Beat Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels had a great year in 2011 as the sometimes-forgotten member of the Philadelphia Phillies rotation behind Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.

Hamels went 14-9 on the year and posted a 2.79 ERA. He had a 0.99 WHIP and struck out 194 batters.

But, in the playoffs, anything can happen. Hamels is facing a team that has had some recent success against him. He'll need to step up and pitch his best game of the season if the Phillies are going to take a 2-1 series lead.

Here are three reasons that won't happen.

1. The Cardinals beat Hamels in September.

The Cardinals have had some recent good fortune against Hamels. They beat him in Philadelphia on September 18.

The Cardinals put up five runs in the 5-0 shutout victory that inched them closer to the Wild Card lead.

Allen Craig led the way for the Redbirds with two home runs and three RBI. He'll most likely be in the lineup when Hamels takes the hill on Tuesday.

2. Albert Pujols and Allen Craig hit Hamels well.

Craig's accomplishments against Hamels were noted above.

But, as we all know, the Cardinals need Albert Pujols to perform well in big games. And history suggests that Pujols will do just fine against Hamels. He has two home runs and four RBI against the Philly hurler in his career.

If the Cardinals put Craig in the second spot in the batting order ahead of Pujols, he'll get plenty of pitches to hit.

And, with the way Lance Berkman has been hitting this season, Pujols should get his chances to hit as well.

3. Hamels has been cold lately.

Hamels had a 3.79 ERA in the month of September, his worst ERA in any month this season.

He allowed 16 runs over the entire month, the most of any month, and gave up four earned runs on two occasions.

He's struggling a little bit right now, and the Cardinals are in a good position to take advantage of that. While Hamels has been slumping, the Cardinals bats have heated up.

Prediction: Cardinals 6, Phillies 4