ST. LOUIS _ Four-time All-Star left-hander Cole Hamels will need no motivation as he leaves the last-place Rangers to join the first-place Cubs.
"I'm excited to be able to continue my career with the Cubs," Hamels told three Rangers writers Friday. "It's been a dream come true to grow up watching the Cubs play as a kid. I always enjoyed playing at Wrigley. To be able to be part of that organization with the group of guys that they have, I'm really excited to get that started and head into the postseason with those guys."
Hamels, who threw a no-hitter in his last start for the Phillies at Wrigley Field in July of 2015, will be reunited with former Rangers players Anthony Bass, Jesse Chavez and Yu Darvish once he joins the Cubs on Saturday at Busch Stadium. Hamels planned to spend Friday packing his belongings.
More important, Hamels relishes the chance to go to the World Series for the first time since 2009 with the Phillies, who lost to the Yankees after winning the 2008 Series title.
"I've been very fortunate in my career to get numerous postseason appearances," said Hamels, who is 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA in 16 playoff starts. "It's always that chase for the World Series. Once you get one, you start to realize how difficult it is to achieve that.
"Knowing I'm going to a team that has such a strong desire to win another one, I definitely want to be a part of that _ especially in that city. They love baseball so much. It will be a tremendous journey for the next couple months."
Hamels goes from a team that was 25 games out of first place in the American League West to a Cubs team that currently holds a 2{-game lead in the National League Central.
"There's something inside you that sparks when you get in that situation," Hamels said. "That's going to be a huge enlightenment to get in that situation again."
At the same time, Hamels knows the stakes are greater. He was 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA in 20 starts with the Rangers after joining them in a 2015 deadline trade from the Phillies.
"I know I haven't performed (with the Rangers) at the level I know I'm capable of," Hamels said. "I think I've made some serious headway in the last couple weeks in finding out and re-defining who I am, what I used to be and how I can recapture that. That's the exciting part of what I've been able to do the past couple days."
Hamels, who was scheduled to pitch Saturday for the Rangers prior to the trade, threw a bullpen session on Wednesday. He said he plans to talk soon with Cubs manager Joe Maddon to discuss his schedule.
Hamels believes a reunion with Darvish, who is recovering from right triceps tendinitis, will help each other.
"That was a great experience when I came over here, to pitch with him," Hamels said. "I know it didn't go the way we both hoped. This time, it'll be the right way.
"Having that familiarity with somebody, at least I know I have a throwing partner. Maybe he can perfect my slider. I know he still needs to work on his changeup."
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