Rich Harden is 50 -29 lifetime, with an ERA of 3.39 That is 21 games above .500
Was 10 - 2 in injury shorted 2008 with an ERA around 2.
He struck out 181 batters in 148 innings. When he is at the top of his game, he is dominant.
Last year with perennial under achieving Cubs, he was only 9 - 9 with ERA around 4, but 171 strike outs in 141 innings. He is a power pitcher, can be erratic, but that will only help, as young Indian players will hesitate to really dig in. Canadian, so cool temps in Cleveland not as much as a prob, VS Carmona, who is not a cold weather pitcher.
My comment of excellent may be a bit strong. I definitely put him in the top tier as far as American league pitchers go, but not in elite status.
Tribe blew huge lead yesterday, used up their pen, and really is going to be a bad team that will really struggle all this year. Texas has got the tools to contend, but will be a long road with the Halos at the top. If Rangers get to Carmona early, this game could get ugly, despite being Cleveland's home opener. Texas has owned Cleveland, and that was when Cleveland had more experience, better hitting, and better pitching.
Harden has always had great stuff, and I would call him above average. These types of pitchers will always be bet.
I almost played against Harden again today, the reason I didn't is that Sizemore is out of the lineup today and the Indians used a lot of relievers yesrerday. Taking a pass.
Harden obtained that record playing on A's teams that were really good in the early-mid 2000s. When he's on, he's really good. But he is also injury prone and can be erratic. He also had nearly a 4.00 ERA in the NL, that is a red flag too. As an A's fan he was one of my favorites to watch, like the kid.
GL today.
