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.
0 recs | 93 comments
Let's Start Another...
Long Winning Streak….. Go Cubbies!!
cubsluver22 - July 21, 2009
We need to score some runs tonight.
I can’t watch the awful offense again.
CubbieintheSouth - July 21, 2009
Lineup
Lineup: RJ (Center), Theriot, DLee, Aramis, Dome (RF), Soriano, Font, Hill, Harden
drewishdrewid - July 21, 2009
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.
cubsonWGN4ever - July 21, 2009
Umm....
That’s very similar to other lineups we have trotted out there all season long.
IllinoisCubs - July 21, 2009
Which means my nervousness is justified!
cubsonWGN4ever - July 21, 2009
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.
Allie - July 21, 2009
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
BrianCesar - July 21, 2009
This belongs in it's own fanpost!
DMCub - July 21, 2009
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.
drewishdrewid - July 21, 2009
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.
Craig in South Bend - July 21, 2009
If the cubs make the play offs
I guess we won’t have to about the day thing.
Madison Cub Fan - July 21, 2009
No pitcher before the fold?
[sic]
dtpollitt - July 21, 2009
Harden's struggles pitching in the day
… probably mean there’s no chance he will be a Cub in 2010.
elgato - July 21, 2009
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.
chilango2 - July 21, 2009
I like your
thinking on that one. I tend to agree.
DamonBerryhillsMitt - July 21, 2009
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.
Jody Jody Davis - July 21, 2009
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.
cowsarecool220 - July 21, 2009
I didn't
I just think this seals it.
elgato - July 21, 2009
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
nks6911 - July 21, 2009
"top 20 players of all time" ?
Looks like that one worked….
Clutch16 - July 21, 2009
Perhaps there is a problem with the “above the fold” versus “below the fold” text. Try to rearrange it?
dtpollitt - July 21, 2009
I guess I am not that confused
just a little impatient
nks6911 - July 21, 2009
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.
Ivy Walls - July 21, 2009
Cubs have actually won 4 of 5 games since the ASB
MandMexpress12 - July 21, 2009
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.
okiecubbie - July 21, 2009
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.
Freddyd - July 21, 2009
Well, at least against the Phillies, it does...
Let’s think positively…
Zeke - July 21, 2009
Harden Is not our third best pitcher.
wrigley12 - July 21, 2009 via mobile
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.
100yearitch - July 21, 2009
Last night...
Would like to speak with you.
CubsBullsBears - July 21, 2009
Ya
Didn’t see that one coming.
100yearitch - July 21, 2009
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.
Fishbone2 - July 21, 2009
Blanton
Light em up!
Hammer - July 21, 2009 via mobile
Hammer
Is awesome!
Hammer - July 21, 2009 via mobile
Meh...
J/k dude. How’s traffic up there right now? Dang glad I don’t have to go up around the neighborhood tonight.
chilango2 - July 21, 2009
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
Hammer - July 21, 2009 via mobile
well, I can hear the bucket boys already...
ballhawk - July 21, 2009
Do you have a favorite Hammer?
I’m partial to the roofing hammer.
dtpollitt - July 21, 2009
I have a 16oz. hammer I call "The Widowmaker". One swing is all it takes...
Zeke - July 21, 2009
Yes, yes he is!!
sue369 - July 21, 2009
Best
poster ever
Hammer - July 21, 2009 via mobile
Third-best
BLou in all his incarnations and drewishdrewid come in first and second. C’mon. Get your rankings straight.
chilango2 - July 21, 2009
no, no
surely, Eric Hanna reigns supreme, even with his small… sample size.
drewishdrewid - July 21, 2009
Entirely my bad
And I apologize.
chilango2 - July 21, 2009 via mobile
I hoper you're right!!
Freddyd - July 21, 2009
hope*
Freddyd - July 21, 2009
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.
wrigley12 - July 21, 2009 via mobile
Good. Rich likes the cold.
Fishbone2 - July 21, 2009
Also
Clutch16 - July 21, 2009
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.
If we only had Hubbs - July 21, 2009
Score first and score often Cubs!!!
sue369 - July 21, 2009
Soriano's line vs. Blanton
.364/.417/.636 in 11 at-bats
And in this band box?
IllinoisCubs - July 21, 2009
He was getting done serious lip from the Philly crowd last night (I may have joined in) maybe that will spark him up.
wrigley12 - July 21, 2009 via mobile
Oh Soriano is a worthless bum
I tell my significant other that all the time.
IllinoisCubs - July 21, 2009
and your significant other stays w/ you?
If you called me a worthless bum, I’d show you the door. :)
Madison Cub Fan - July 21, 2009
I disagree with the worthless
he would have some value as a bookend or perhaps a paperweight.
seesdifferent - July 22, 2009
A bit of good news:
chilango2 - July 21, 2009
What about his command?
Clutch16 - July 21, 2009
Sit? Fetch? Beg? Which command?
Zeke - July 21, 2009
The one that wasn't fine during the day he was pitching
Clutch16 - July 21, 2009
Oh, THAT one...
I’d make that one go sit in a corner without any dinner…
Zeke - July 21, 2009
didn't he say
it was fine before pitching too? :P
drewishdrewid - July 21, 2009
His ERA however has no comment
Allie - July 21, 2009
still recovering
with concussion-like symptoms.
drewishdrewid - July 21, 2009
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.
cowsarecool220 - July 21, 2009
2009. Right? :)
heine41 - July 21, 2009
Correct
And 2001 before that
Clutch16 - July 21, 2009
Similar to AZ....
TheRiot Police - July 21, 2009
Sounds like the makings of a TV series...
It’s Always Lousy in Philadelphia…
starring Danny DeMiles
ballhawk - July 21, 2009
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.
TheRiot Police - July 21, 2009
I believe he said
“cooler nights”.
sue369 - July 21, 2009
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!!
DKT - July 21, 2009
We can always dream, though, right?
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - July 21, 2009
LEAVE FUKUDOME IN THE LEADOFF SLOT!!!
What’s so hard about that, Lou?
kanderber - July 21, 2009
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.
Clutch16 - July 21, 2009
sorry, i'm a little slow
to which decision?
Freddyd - July 21, 2009
+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.
SackMan - July 21, 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
BrianCesar - July 21, 2009
+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
SackMan - July 21, 2009
Imagine it has something to do with
this:
Which is probably an overreaction to the blowout last night… Lou hates when we aren’t hitting
Allie - July 21, 2009
Still... so what.
Dome’s batting .438 with a .526 OBP in the last 7 days. Keep him in the leadoff spot!
SackMan - July 21, 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.
Madison Cub Fan - July 21, 2009
I agree
apparently Lou doesn’t though.
Allie - July 21, 2009
yay for games on wgn!
Allie - July 21, 2009
Shallow thoughts by Jack Handy...
ballhawk - July 21, 2009
That'd be Sen. Jack Handey please
chilango2 - July 21, 2009 via mobile
alright, everyone. Got a meeting to go to, so see you all in the later innings!
Go Cubs!
drewishdrewid - July 21, 2009
The last 15 minutes before gametime
always seem to last forever.
Allie - July 21, 2009
100% agree
I’m working summer school. off @ 12. the day seems to drag on forever…..
daily2b - July 21, 2009
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.
Clutch16 - July 21, 2009
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.
Allie - July 21, 2009
Everybody ready?
Jump!
chitownhawkeye - July 21, 2009
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