In the span of 24 hours, the top of Phillies pitching staff came into full focus.

On Wednesday, Brett Myers exhibited just how bad it can be. He gave up 9 hits and couldn't get out of the fifth inning.

The Phils trailed 8-0 entering the bottom of the 5th.

On Thursday, the game was never in doubt with Cole Hamels on the mound. He pitched his the first, complete game shutout of his career.

In a quick analysis of the two of the team's, former, highly-touted Phillies prospects, it's simply a case of one pitcher living up to the potential and another not.

Myers flourished last year as a closer - that's understood. But he has the stuff (at least from a pitching arsenal standpoint) to be a top of the rotation starter, too. He just can't get over the hump.

Hamels really only needed two months in the big leagues to get over the hump (if there ever was a hump in his progression, that is).

Perhaps its unfair to compare the two, former first round picks. But there's really no reason Myers can't blossom into a star pitcher like Hamels.

Maybe it's just about trust in his stuff and keeping his confidence throughout a game's entirety.

If you gives up a home run, act like Hamels: take a deep breath, get back on the mound and forget about it; remember you've got the ball in your hand, and thus, the advantage.

Hey, I'm not a pitching coach, so what do I know. I just think Myers has it in him to perhaps not be as good as Hamels, but to be pretty close if he ever puts it all together.

If and when that happens, of course, is the biggest mystery, and perhaps, the key to the Phillies success this season.

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The Toronto Blue Jays are in town. Interleague play begins in the MLB today with most teams taking on their "natural rivals."

But the only thing I think the Philadelphia and Toronto have ever shared is the nickname "Blue Jays" -- the Phils tried it out early last century for a year or two and it never stuck.

Oh yeah, there's also that Joe Carter guy, who was the last guy to bat in the Phillies last World Series appearance. I guess one, walk-off, World Series-winning swing makes a rivalry.

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The Archive Files

King Cole's latest hit is a first - a complete game, shutout.

Phils GM Pat Gillick doesn't see team extending Hamels' contract anytime soon.

Brett Myers' latest dud does the Phils in against division-rival Atlanta.

Eric Bruntlett is getting acclimated to another new role - backup outfielder.