This Cubs pitcher is on a potato chips prescription to avoid cramping

The secret to Hammel's success? Eating potato chips between innings

Saturday afternoon, the Cubs beat the Rangers (CHC 3, TEX 1) thanks in large part to starter Jason Hammel. Hammel held Texas to one run on three hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out seven to improve to 8-5 with a 3.34 ERA on the season.

Hammel dealt with some on and off cramping prior to the All-Star break, first in his hamstring and then in his pitching hand. He was able to avoid more cramping Saturday thanks to potato chips. Yes, potato chips. He ate them in the tunnel between innings. Doctor's orders too:

In effort to avoid cramping, Hammel was told by #Cubs team doc to eat potato chips because of the potassium and sea salt

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 16, 2016

And he ate them in the tunnel between innings during the game. Hammel: "Any excuse I could have to eat potato chips, I did." #Cubs

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 16, 2016

Hammel joked he's on PCP: potato chip prescription. Hey, whatever works, right? Some athletes drink Pedialyte instead of Gatorade because it helps with hydration.

The secret to Hammel's success: potato chips. USATSI

This begs the question: what kind of chips did Hammel eat? Were they regular old Lay's or Wise chips? Maybe Cape Cod Potato Chips? There's no shortage of options out there, that's for sure.

I guess this is baseball's next great market inefficiency: performance-enhancing potato chips.