As for Hamels, he’s been tough to hit anywhere. After shutting down the Los Angeles Dodgers, the NLCS MVP is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in three postseason starts this year, striking out 22 and walking six in 22 dominant innings.

Perhaps his biggest concern now is a six-day layoff before his World Series debut. He and the Phillies hope to look more rested than rusty.

“Because I can’t throw in a live game, I just throw in the bullpen. And it’s just the focus that you have to have,” said Hamels, sporting boyishly long dark hair. “When I go out to my bullpen, I do try to visualize that there’s a hitter out there, and I try to make every pitch count, as though it’s a game situation.”

Hamels went 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA in 33 regular-season starts. Including the playoffs, he’s thrown 249 1-3 innings this year, 66 more than his previous high set last season.

“Every time he walks out on the mound I expect him to win a game,” Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. “He’s definitely capable of shutting a team out. He’s capable of throwing no-hitters.”

After Hamels, the Phillies’ rotation is Brett Myers, 45-year-old Jamie Moyer and midseason addition Joe Blanton. Manuel said he wouldn’t reveal his choice for designated hitter until Wednesday.

James Shields will start Game 2 for the Rays. When the series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3, it will be ALCS MVP Matt Garza followed by Andy Sonnanstine.

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