Rich Harden, The Prince Of Darkness: Cubs vs. Phillies Preview, Tuesday 7/21, 6:05 CT
by Al Yellon on Jul 21, 2009 4:00 PM CDT
in Game Threads
93 comments
Back in 2001, a number of us hung the nickname "The Prince of Darkness" on Fred McGriff, after the Cubs acquired him and he complained about all the day games. (Might have had a point, too -- in his only full season as a Cub, McGriff posted a .935 OPS in night games, only .780 in day games.)
Now we learn that Rich Harden may have the same issue. Harden is 30-14, 3.16 at night and 17-12, 3.83 in day games in his career and this year, the splits are even more extreme: 5-1, 2.41 at night, 1-5, 7.38 in the sunshine. Why it took them so long to do this I'm not sure, but Paul Sullivan reports in the Tribune that the Cubs are going to adjust Harden's rotation spot to take advantage of this:
Harden will start Tuesday night in Philadelphia, then not pitch again until Monday against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field, although that, at least, is a night game.
That would put him on pace to pitch again the following Saturday night in Miami.
"We're going to try to accommodate that [quirk] as much as we can," manager Lou Piniella said. "If we have an injury or something, we can't do anything about it."
The "Wrigley Field" comment above is a reference to Harden's 2-5, 7.59 ERA at home this year. Harden has pitched nine home games this year -- two of them at night. In the home night starts he's 2-0, 3.00 (12 innings pitched, 3 walks, 13 strikeouts). In home day games he's 0-5, 9.39.
This should be a no-brainer, then, for the rest of the year. There may be no reason in particular for this, but if Harden does better in night games and on the road, then do what it takes to get him slotted in those situations only -- it will be the best use of his talent.
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Joe Blanton has one career start vs. the Cubs, August 29, 2008 at Wrigley Field; he threw 5.2 innings and gave up a pair of runs in a game the Cubs eventually won 3-2 on a HR by Alfonso Soriano off reliever Clay Condrey. It might be a night to start Reed Johnson, who is 5-for-10 with a HR lifetime off Blanton.
Blanton's opponent last August 29 was, as tonight, Rich Harden. He gave the Phillies three hits and four walks and an unearned run in five innings. The Phillie he's faced the most from his time in the AL is Raul Ibanez (5-for-23, .217, 2 doubles, a HR).
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Discuss amongst yourselves.
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We need to score some runs tonight.
I can’t watch the awful offense again.
"Booze, broads, and bullshit. If you got all that, what else do you need?" Harry Caray
by CubbieintheSouth on Jul 21, 2009 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Lineup
Lineup: RJ (Center), Theriot, DLee, Aramis, Dome (RF), Soriano, Font, Hill, Harden
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 21, 2009 4:04 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs
This lineup worries me
I may be a nervous nellie but this has only two legitimate power threats surrounded by a bunch of “scrappy” players plus Soriano who is a giant question mark though he’s heating up.
This may sound crazy and I welcome the inevitable flame-war but I would actually feel a lot better with FOX at catcher in this particular lineup. He might not throw out many base-runners or he might allow a passed ball or three but if he could get 2RBI that would offset any potential mistakes. Additionally, his mere presence would guarantee better pitches to hit for the rest of the lineup.
by cubsonWGN4ever on Jul 21, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Umm....
That’s very similar to other lineups we have trotted out there all season long.
by IllinoisCubs on Jul 21, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
If he's allowing a lot of base stealers
and passed balls against a quick team like Philly… 2 RBI isn’t gonna be enough.
the main difference
is fukudome and johnson rather than fukudome and bradley/hoffpauir/fox. fukudome will probably give you more thump than hoff or bradley at this point
This belongs in it's own fanpost!
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
what I want to know is
if Harden is only pitching night away games, who pitches the games he would otherwise start?
Don’t tell me “Hart”. I don’t see that being a recipe for success.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
Good question
I can’t see Harden never pitching another day game, but I’m sure they could mess with the rotation enough to allow Harden to pitch at night as much as possible.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jul 21, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions
If the cubs make the play offs
I guess we won’t have to about the day thing.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 21, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions
No pitcher before the fold?
[sic]
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Harden's struggles pitching in the day
… probably mean there’s no chance he will be a Cub in 2010.
You hoped he would be?
I personally would trade him before next week and get something in return, as opposed to just letting his contract expire.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
I like your
thinking on that one. I tend to agree.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jul 21, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Not a bad idea if they can swing it
If I had any confidence in Hendry’s drafting ability, I’d say let Harden walk and take the draft picks.
by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 21, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure the Cubs will feel comfortable offering Rich arbitraiton.
If the 2010 offseason looks as shaky as the 2009, and with his health history he just might accept.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jul 21, 2009 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Have to ask a question
I have tried to write a fanpost twice in the last month and both times it won’t publish. It is telling me there is no “BODY” for the fanpost
"top 20 players of all time" ?
Looks like that one worked….
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
I guess I am not that confused
just a little impatient
not so ironically Cubs have won 3 of the five games since the ASB where
Harden pitched well and Soriano hit HR’s in two other games, Cubs fortune stand or fall on those two players.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
My two favorite teams in the building tonight
Along with the Cubs, the Villanova basketball team will be honored for their run to the Final Four before the game tonight. I believe one of the players will be throwing out the first pitch.
Go Cubs and Go Cats.
This is an important game
If we get swept with our 3 best pitchers, that’s a huge statement on the status of our club.
Well, at least against the Phillies, it does...
Let’s think positively…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Harden Is not our third best pitcher.
by wrigley12 on Jul 21, 2009 4:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The line on Blanton and Harden
is almost identical, when you account for the extra innings Blanton has pitched. Should make for a close game.
Last night...
Would like to speak with you.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jul 21, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope so. If Harden leaves the ball up like Lilly did last night it will be a laugher.
If he keeps the ball down and has good command with his fastball. I like their chances.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
Blanton
Light em up!
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Jul 21, 2009 4:24 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Hammer
Is awesome!
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Jul 21, 2009 4:24 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Meh...
J/k dude. How’s traffic up there right now? Dang glad I don’t have to go up around the neighborhood tonight.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Well I come from Evanston so it’s nver an issue. I’ll bet it’s bad though. I’m going to the concert tonight. Nice 5 minute walk though
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Jul 21, 2009 4:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Do you have a favorite Hammer?
I’m partial to the roofing hammer.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I have a 16oz. hammer I call "The Widowmaker". One swing is all it takes...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Best
poster ever
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Jul 21, 2009 4:41 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Third-best
BLou in all his incarnations and drewishdrewid come in first and second. C’mon. Get your rankings straight.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
no, no
surely, Eric Hanna reigns supreme, even with his small… sample size.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 21, 2009 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Entirely my bad
And I apologize.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on Jul 21, 2009 5:56 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Just
Got to the game it’s a chilly night here with the wind blowin across the diamond. Let’s hope nighttime rich shows up tonight.
by wrigley12 on Jul 21, 2009 4:30 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Good. Rich likes the cold.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
Also
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Clutch
Good one man. If Rich is past his aches and pains he will be very good tonight. I really want him to do well.
by If we only had Hubbs on Jul 21, 2009 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Soriano's line vs. Blanton
.364/.417/.636 in 11 at-bats
And in this band box?
He was getting done serious lip from the Philly crowd last night (I may have joined in) maybe that will spark him up.
by wrigley12 on Jul 21, 2009 4:34 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh Soriano is a worthless bum
I tell my significant other that all the time.
by IllinoisCubs on Jul 21, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions
and your significant other stays w/ you?
If you called me a worthless bum, I’d show you the door. :)
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 21, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I disagree with the worthless
he would have some value as a bookend or perhaps a paperweight.
by seesdifferent on Jul 22, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions
A bit of good news:
cst_cubs Lilly says knee fine day after pitching.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
What about his command?
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Sit? Fetch? Beg? Which command?
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
The one that wasn't fine during the day he was pitching
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Oh, THAT one...
I’d make that one go sit in a corner without any dinner…
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
didn't he say
it was fine before pitching too? :P
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 21, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
still recovering
with concussion-like symptoms.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 21, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know what it is about Philadelphia
but it seems like the Cubs always play lousy there. I can’t remember the last time they won a series in Philadelphia.
Hey, it's a new century!
Similar to AZ....
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
by TheRiot Police on Jul 21, 2009 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Sounds like the makings of a TV series...
It’s Always Lousy in Philadelphia…
starring Danny DeMiles
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I seem to recall
Harden making the same comment last year that he preferred to pitch in cooler conditions…this not anything new…at least from his perspective.
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
Cubs 11 Phillies 1
OK< That’s NOT gonna happen, but let’s get the bats going tonight and see if Harden can settle into a nice groove. 56 minutes until game time. GO CUBS!!
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
We can always dream, though, right?
Favorite player of all time: Ryne Sandberg.
by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Jul 21, 2009 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Joe Blanton - #56 - Starting Pitcher - Philadelphia Phillies
Height: 6-3
Weight: 252
Bats: R
Throws: R
Only one of those stats is relevant to this decision.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
+1
Dome’s a lefty… a red hot lefty.
ReJo’s a righty… who’s batting .222 vs righties this year. F’n stupid as all hell. F’n Lou.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
with fukudome and johnson in the same lineup
i guess he chose fukudome to bump down to stick some lefties down there, love to have that fuk OBP at the top, tho
+1
Why the hell would you move a red hot lead-off man out of the top? Especially for ReJo. And double especially when the L/R matchup is in his favor? WTF
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Imagine it has something to do with
this:
Reed Johnson, who is 5-for-10 with a HR lifetime off Blanton.
Which is probably an overreaction to the blowout last night… Lou hates when we aren’t hitting
Still... so what.
Dome’s batting .438 with a .526 OBP in the last 7 days. Keep him in the leadoff spot!
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Does Dome's hitting coach have a job in Japan?
Why not bring him over here for a full season? Or at least Sept/Oct.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 21, 2009 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Shallow thoughts by Jack Handy...
The Phillies pitcher pretty much looks like how his name is pronounced
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
That'd be Sen. Jack Handey please
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on Jul 21, 2009 5:55 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
100% agree
I’m working summer school. off @ 12. the day seems to drag on forever…..
Oh, very cool!
New MLB At-bat for iPhone lets MLB.TV subscribers watch any game live on their phone.
Glad I paid for both, now.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
I think that At-bat app
maybe the first time MLB ever got something perfect for the fans.
NFL came out for one… and to get it you have to have Sunday ticket & pay $90 for it on the phone/pod.
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