04-07-2009, 11:52 PM
<!--quoteo(post=28512:date=Apr 7 2009, 09:44 PM:name=Lance)-->QUOTE (Lance @ Apr 7 2009, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=28506:date=Apr 7 2009, 11:38 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Apr 7 2009, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=28503:date=Apr 7 2009, 09:34 PM:name=Lance)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lance @ Apr 7 2009, 09:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=28502:date=Apr 7 2009, 11:31 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Apr 7 2009, 11:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=28498:date=Apr 7 2009, 09:30 PM:name=Lance)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lance @ Apr 7 2009, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I hate those fuckers and their announcers. Fuck them. And fuck everyone who thinks that 162 games doesn't matter.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Huh?
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Sorry Clapp--but you are at the head of that class. Talking about not pitching Harden until September or July, or whatever. The regular season is not a given. This game sucked.
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Of course it's not a "given" and the players know that, and that's why I know we'll be absolutely fine. We're in a beyond shitty division with a loaded team. We're 1 -1 on the road to start the year. I expected us to go 1-2 in this series and probably 2-4 on the week. I watch every single game and care, I'm just not going to let a regular season win or less make my day like I used to. I feel better right now than about any Cubs loss in my lifetime. It's a nice change.
And I don't want to pitch Harden til then because he hasn't been himself, I don't want an 85% Harden when we're good enough to win without him, and he's the best pitcher in baseball when he's himself. What have we won in the last 100 years? Jackshit. Harden's the type of pitcher than can carry you himself, but he's struggled to be able to stay out there for more than 10 or straight starts in a row.
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Rick Sutcliffe in 1984 was the best pitcher I've ever seen. He carried that team. They absoutely would not have won the division without him going 16-1. I'll grant you that it's much different now with 3 divisions, the playoff changes, etc. And I'll also grant that I'm bitching because of this game--but I don't see any sanity in letting Harden not pitch until mid season.
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2003: 13 starts- 74.2 IP
2004: 31 starts- 189.2 IP
2005: 19 starts- 128 IP
2006: 9 starts- 46.2 IP
2007: 4 starts- 25.2 IP
2008: 25 starts- 148 IP
So in 6 years, he's pitched 1 full season. Last year he made 25 starts, and his fastball velocity wasn't near where it was in July by September. Now this spring, he's getting absolutely shelled and his fastball is right where it was when he was struggling last September. Maybe it just means this is what he is as Butch has suggested and we're not going to see the incredible Harden again, but I'd rather give him some rest and try to kick ass for about 15 starts rather than hope he can throw a full season. I have significant doubts, and this team has plenty enough pitching to get by without him for a few months. I'd rather have him at his best in the later months than right now. Maybe more throwing will improve his arm strength and stamina as it should for most pitchers, but he's a different animal.
Huh?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sorry Clapp--but you are at the head of that class. Talking about not pitching Harden until September or July, or whatever. The regular season is not a given. This game sucked.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Of course it's not a "given" and the players know that, and that's why I know we'll be absolutely fine. We're in a beyond shitty division with a loaded team. We're 1 -1 on the road to start the year. I expected us to go 1-2 in this series and probably 2-4 on the week. I watch every single game and care, I'm just not going to let a regular season win or less make my day like I used to. I feel better right now than about any Cubs loss in my lifetime. It's a nice change.
And I don't want to pitch Harden til then because he hasn't been himself, I don't want an 85% Harden when we're good enough to win without him, and he's the best pitcher in baseball when he's himself. What have we won in the last 100 years? Jackshit. Harden's the type of pitcher than can carry you himself, but he's struggled to be able to stay out there for more than 10 or straight starts in a row.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Rick Sutcliffe in 1984 was the best pitcher I've ever seen. He carried that team. They absoutely would not have won the division without him going 16-1. I'll grant you that it's much different now with 3 divisions, the playoff changes, etc. And I'll also grant that I'm bitching because of this game--but I don't see any sanity in letting Harden not pitch until mid season.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
2003: 13 starts- 74.2 IP
2004: 31 starts- 189.2 IP
2005: 19 starts- 128 IP
2006: 9 starts- 46.2 IP
2007: 4 starts- 25.2 IP
2008: 25 starts- 148 IP
So in 6 years, he's pitched 1 full season. Last year he made 25 starts, and his fastball velocity wasn't near where it was in July by September. Now this spring, he's getting absolutely shelled and his fastball is right where it was when he was struggling last September. Maybe it just means this is what he is as Butch has suggested and we're not going to see the incredible Harden again, but I'd rather give him some rest and try to kick ass for about 15 starts rather than hope he can throw a full season. I have significant doubts, and this team has plenty enough pitching to get by without him for a few months. I'd rather have him at his best in the later months than right now. Maybe more throwing will improve his arm strength and stamina as it should for most pitchers, but he's a different animal.
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