Com'mon Harden

by Cubinator on Oct 3, 2008 11:14 AM CDT

The series is probably over, but I'd still enjoy seeing the Cubs play one game well. I'd desperately love to not have my guts ripped out again, but I'm not that hopeful. There still remains one player, imo, to help us at least to take something good from this fiasco to build on. Harden is the last bullet in the gun.

Food for Thought

-since June, he has not allowed more than 7 earned runs in any month (of course it's not earned runs that killed us last night)

-Sept. ERA of 2.65 with a 1.36 average against. This guy is nasty.

-Dodgers haven't seen him this year

-neither lefties nor righties have an ops that cracks .600 against him

-for the season he has almost a 3 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio.

If he can keep his walks down, he'll probably be pretty good. I have nothing to say about our offense. Go Harden, go Cubs.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I agree...

He’s been awesome, and if he pitches true to form, then we will live to see a game 4. However, nothing about this series for us has stayed true to 2008 Cubs form, so I don’t know what to think anymore.

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Oct 3, 2008 11:18 AM CDT 0 recs

TWSS?

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer J Simpson

by MikeOxbyg on Oct 3, 2008 11:58 AM CDT 0 recs

Im scared

WOW WHAT A SEASON!

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Oct 3, 2008 12:32 PM CDT 0 recs

You should be

But it isn’t over. Almost over. But not over.

by Josh77 on Oct 3, 2008 12:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

For what it's worth...

…Gordon Wittenmyer reports in today’s Sun-Times that Harden did get a cortisone shot in his arm last month. It doesn’t sound like it’s anything to panic about, but worth noting nonetheless.

Regarding tomorrow’s game, hey, I always love watching Harden pitch. So, even if the Cubs lose and the season comes crashing to an ignominous close, maybe our last memories will be of ol’ Rich racking up double-digit Ks one mo’ time.

I'm open to a miracle.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 12:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Bats

Harden needs to pitch well, obviously, but this ain’t about pitching, it’s about the bats. The bats need to regain that patience and confidence and put some runs on the board. If Harden gives up 3 runs on 6 or 7 hits over 7, for example, that will have been a good outing, but it’s only half the equation. Gotta put some runs on the board. C’mon LBR and Reed Johnson!!

by bms on Oct 3, 2008 12:55 PM CDT 0 recs

How will he respond...

…will be interesting to see.

Will he have the same velocity when he was dominant?
Will he be able to throw strikes go deep into the game?

Those are the two important questions, because if he has his stuff, there is no doubt he can shut the Dodgers down. But, if he only goes 5 or 6 and they have the lead, the bridge to Marmol and Wood becomes important and my confidence is not high.

Depending on how Lou plays it, you may even see Lilly for an inning or two.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 3, 2008 1:08 PM CDT 0 recs