Rich Harden - The best starting pitcher in MLB this year?

[David]

I know the timing is odd...but check the stats

 

A case can definitely be made.

[David]

His peripherals are flat out obscene. His K/9 is ridiculous. His K/BB is ridiculous. His ERA is ridiculous. His ERA+ is ridiculous.

 

Only thing he doesn't have is the W-L numbers.

[CuseCubFan69]

It's like having a Pedro on the team.

[Wilson A2000]

He doesn't have the innings

[Skyballer]

No doubt, WHEN Harden's healthy, he's one of the best. I honestly believe that when they are both at their game, Harden beats Zambrano.

[David]

No doubt, WHEN Harden's healthy, he's one of the best. I honestly believe that when they are both at their game, Harden beats Zambrano.

 

There is no doubt in my mind.

[Wilson A2000]

No doubt, WHEN Harden's healthy, he's one of the best. I honestly believe that when they are both at their game, Harden beats Zambrano.

 

I think he needs to have one more pitch to be in that category. At least he has to use one more pitch.

[rocket]

he kinda sucked today :(

[David]

No doubt, WHEN Harden's healthy, he's one of the best. I honestly believe that when they are both at their game, Harden beats Zambrano.

 

I think he needs to have one more pitch to be in that category. At least he has to use one more pitch.

 

He's absolutely dominant with his fastball and his 3 (?!) different changeups.

 

In fact, he's better than he ever has been in his career.

[Wilson A2000]

I would just like him to have a pitch that moves in to lefties like a slider or curve. Zambrano's pitches move right (fastball) and left (slider). It couldn't hurt at least.

[imb]

I would just like him to have a pitch that moves in to lefties like a slider or curve. Zambrano's pitches move right (fastball) and left (slider). It couldn't hurt at least.

 

I think Harden can cut his fastball any direction he wants to, and as fragile as he is and with as much success as he has with his arsenal already, i definitely don't want him throwing sliders or curves or anything like that.

[TruffleShuffle]

I would just like him to have a pitch that moves in to lefties like a slider or curve. Zambrano's pitches move right (fastball) and left (slider). It couldn't hurt at least.

 

I think Harden can cut his fastball any direction he wants to, and as fragile as he is and with as much success as he has with his arsenal already, i definitely don't want him throwing sliders or curves or anything like that.

 

he bagged his splitter in the offseason because it put too much stress on his arm. he's thrown more innings than he did the last two years combined, so i guess that move was at least somewhat successful.

[OleMissCub]

His ERA+ with the Cubs is 405!!!

 

Heck, between his time with us and the time with the A's, his cumulative adjusted ERA+ is at 199 this year!

 

Adjusted ERA+ that float around 200 had generally been reserved for Randy Johnson and Pedro.

[TruffleShuffle]

His ERA+ with the Cubs is 405!!!

 

Heck, between his time with us and the time with the A's, his cumulative adjusted ERA+ is at 199 this year!

 

Adjusted ERA+ that float around 200 had generally been reserved for Randy Johnson and Pedro.

 

nah, just pedro. clemens for some random years and maddux at his peak, too.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Hopefully Harden can be for us what Mark Prior was supposed to be, and not what he became.

[kjfoster 1553]

No doubt, WHEN Harden's healthy, he's one of the best. I honestly believe that when they are both at their game, Harden beats Zambrano.

 

We don't have to worry about that anymore. =D>

[David]

Also, has anyone noticed that Harden has never even averaged a K per inning until this season (outside of 06 and 07 where he barely pitched - and even then, he wasn't K'ing near the same rate as now - so it's hard to really draw anything from the numbers)?

 

How did he get so much better at striking people out? Is it the "new" more limited repertoire? He has always thrown really hard. Maybe the fact that he's just fastball/changeup with a lot of changing speeds is leading to more K's than ever, and the dumping of the splitter = fewer ground balls? Just thinking out-loud...