Harden strong in 2-0 loss to Arizona: Randy Johnson improved to 13-0 in 14 career starts against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, outdueling Rich Harden in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 2-0 victory. Harden, in his second start for Chicago after a trade with Oakland, allowed one hit in seven innings -- Alex Romero's first major league home run to lead off the sixth. It was the first run Harden allowed in 10 1/3 innings since joining the Cubs. Harden (0-1) went seven innings, striking out 10 and walking two in the NL Central leader's fourth loss in five games. (Updated 07/22/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/25/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Harden took an unfortunate loss Monday despite having a solid outing, which included retiring the first 12 batters he faced -- seven by strikeout -- before walking Chad Tracy on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the fifth. Tracy took second on a wild pitch, but was stranded there. Harden has allowed two or fewer earned runs in his last seven starts dating back to his days with the A's. He continues to look dominant when healthy and remains a must-start Fantasy SP. Harden's next scheduled outing is for Saturday against the Marlins. (Updated 07/22/2008).
Harden struck out 10 in 5 1-3 shutout innings in his Cubs debut, but didn't get a win after the bullpen blew a seven-run lead in Chicago's 8-7, 11-inning victory over San Francisco on Saturday. (Updated 07/13/2008)
Advice
Harden has been dominant when healthy this year, but he's struggled pitching deep into games recently. He's failed to get through the sixth in each of his last three starts, and as A's manager Bob Geren was doing, Cubs skipper Lou Piniella may also try to limit his workload to keep him healthy.
Harden strong in 2-0 loss to Arizona: Randy Johnson improved to 13-0 in 14 career starts against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, outdueling Rich Harden in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 2-0 victory. Harden, in his second start for Chicago after a trade with Oakland, allowed one hit in seven innings -- Alex Romero's first major league home run to lead off the sixth. It was the first run Harden allowed in 10 1/3 innings since joining the Cubs. Harden (0-1) went seven innings, striking out 10 and walking two in the NL Central leader's fourth loss in five games. (Updated 07/22/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/25/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Harden took an unfortunate loss Monday despite having a solid outing, which included retiring the first 12 batters he faced -- seven by strikeout -- before walking Chad Tracy on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the fifth. Tracy took second on a wild pitch, but was stranded there. Harden has allowed two or fewer earned runs in his last seven starts dating back to his days with the A's. He continues to look dominant when healthy and remains a must-start Fantasy SP. Harden's next scheduled outing is for Saturday against the Marlins. (Updated 07/22/2008).
= probable start
