Cubs P Rich Harden
Harden was acquired on July 8th, along with P Chad Gaudin for Cubs P Sean Gallagher, OF Matt Murton, IF Eric Patterson, and C Josh Donaldson. Harden was Cubs GM Jim Hendry’s answer for the Milwaukee Brewers acquisition of P CC Sabathia the day before, and he was everything advertised and more.
After today’s start, Harden has been spectacular. Three starts, 17 1/3 innings pitched, 30K’s 8 hits, 2 ER, 1.04 ERA, 0-1 record. The Cubs are 1-2 in his 3 starts. Harden is 5-2 with a 2.04 ERA overall. The Chicago Cubs have wasted performances that have been absolutely dominant, so much so that they match up substantially to Sabathia’s performance as a Milwaukee Brewer.
Sabathia’s numbers are: 4 starts, 33 IP, 20 hits, 6 ER, 31K’s, 1.36 ERA, 4-0 record. Four wins for Sabathia, none for Harden. The Chicago Cubs have 59 games left in the season after today. Harden will likely have 12 more starts if he stays healthy. The Chicago Cubs badly need to take advantage of Harden’s dominance. Only in Chicago, could a pitcher post the numbers that Harden has put up and have no victories to show for it.
