Wiz's MLB Play of the Day (BIG WRITE-UP)

mickey · #1 08-05-2009, 04:45 PM

Chicago at Cincinnati

Cubs are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings with the Reds, while the Reds are playing their worst baseball. Rich Harden will take the mound and he's really picked it up with a 2.48 ERA in his last 5 starts. I watched his last game against the Reds and he was simply dominant with un-hittable stuff. He went 6 innings gave up 1H and 1ER.The right-hander is in his best stretch of the season, even though his win-loss record may not reflect it.

In his last four starts, Harden is 2-0 with a pair of no-decisions in which the Cubs managed just three runs. He has gone four straight starts without allowing three runs for the first time this season.

There's more. In addition to a 1.50 ERA, Harden has allowed just 18 hits and walks while striking out 32 in 24 innings, including a season-high 11 in just five frames in his last outing.

Among pitchers with at least 90 innings, Harden is second in the NL in strikeout ratio, averaging 10.56 per nine innings

The Reds have a career .118 average in 68 AB vs. Harden and when you take out Bruce who won't be in this game 2-6 they have a 0.97 average. The line on this game has already exploded from -150 to -184 as the Reds have lost 8 straight games and carry a .188 average scoring 3.18 runs per 9 innings against LHP. Reds are 6-21 in their last 28 as an underdog and 3-13 in their last 16 of a game 3 in a series. I really see the Cubs beating up on the Reds here today and for Harden to continue his solid 2.19 ERA on the road this year! If you can eat -184 juice do it because the Cubs will win!

Harden with a 0.95 ERA in his last three starts against the Reds owns a 2.19 ERA on the road this year. He has been throwing the ball hard and was unhittable in his last appearance 1 start ago against the Reds where he went 6IP gave up just 1H and 1ER. I watched this game and had this game marked on my calendar as a game to check out. Harden has a 2.48 ERA over his last 5 starts overall and he'll face the Reds who have lost 8 straight and have a .188 avg in their last 10 vs. RHP. Oh may I add the Reds collectively have a .118 avg and that's counting Jay Bruce who is on the DL take him out of the picture and they have just a .097 average.

Cubs will face Justin Lehr a journey man minor leagure who at 32 made his first start last week against the Rockies. Lehr was a reliver in 2006 where he posted a 8.62 ERA. Many thought they would never hear from him again, but he has put up solid numbers in the minors and here he is. Just showing you how large the jump is from AAA to the majors is. He won't be up long as he threw just 52 strikes in 97 pitches walking 6 batters and in 5 IP against the Rockies. He was lucky to escape with 3ER on 4H. Don't expect the same luck here as he'll most likely have a "what can I lose attitude" against the Cubs by throwing the ball over the plate and the Cubs will make him pay!

Favorite stat: The Reds have lost 76.6% of their home losses by more than 1 run including 7 of their last 8 on this current home stand.(FOR THOSE WHOM WANT TO RIDE THE RUN LINE)

Cubs ML

BOTTOM LINE:
(The Cincinnati Reds are going nowhere fast,and hasn't shown any signs of improvement.)