Analyst Picks Hamels to Win AL Cy Young

For the past week or so, we've been talking about MLB predictions from all kinds of national analysts, and it's always interesting to see what the national vibe is regarding the Rangers.

ESPN's John Kruk, the former Phillies star and hitting extraordinaire, has been on the telecast for Sunday Night Baseball for years now and has seen his fair share of baseball.

This week, Kruk made his pick for AL Cy Young and chose Cole Hamels to take home the hardware over a loaded group of American League pitchers.

Kruk dismissed the idea that Hamels won't be able to adjust to a full season in the more hitter-friendly AL with a good point — Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park is a hitter's paradise.

"You think about it, wait a second, he's pitching in the Ballpark in Arlington. But for all of his career he pitched in Citizens Bank Park which is a great hitters ballpark. I don't think that's going to fluster him at all. I think the fact that they're going to be in it — Texas, to me, is going to be relevant all year — I think Cole Hamels steps up his game. Then they get Darvish back to take some of the heat off of him, with Derek Holland and the rest. I really think Cole Hamels, this year, is going to prove to people why the Texas Rangers went out and got him at the trade deadline."

If Hamels pitches well enough to win the Cy Young, the Rangers will be in great shape.

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