Cubs acquire Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for Gallagher, Patterson, Murton and Donaldson

[Janelle Larson]

Harden pitched 5.1 innings and had 10 strikeouts today. He was pulled because the Cubs had a 7 run lead and his pitch count was at 96.

 

I'd consider that a success for the Cubs today with Harden, but still plenty of question marks if they have to pull him that early. They are really trying to be careful with him and let's hope they are too careful in future close games and it costs them.

He's been on a 95-100 pitch count all year while averaging 5 - 6 innings. So he wasn't really pulled early.

 

[RedFlash2]

Harden pitched 5.1 innings and had 10 strikeouts today. He was pulled because the Cubs had a 7 run lead and his pitch count was at 96.

 

I'd consider that a success for the Cubs today with Harden, but still plenty of question marks if they have to pull him that early. They are really trying to be careful with him and let's hope they are too careful in future close games and it costs them.

Harden was pull about right where the Cubs wanted to pull him. Harden was out about 79 pitchers through 5 today, which averages out to nearly 16 pitches per inning. And if he didn't run into a little trouble in the 5th, he would have made it throught 6 strong innings. So, considering his history, and at the time of the game (up 7-0), to pull him when they did, was the correct call. With an arm like Harden you don't risk it in July. In September or October, sure, but July no.

 

He wasn't pull because he felt anything soreness, or whatnot, he was pulled, because the Cubs felt the game was in checked.

[GamelToe]

Peter Gammons just said he would be shocked if Gallagher didn't win more games than Harden over the next 5 years.

[istanbultaye]

96 pitches in less than 6 innings isn't all that good. If Harden can't get more than 6 innings (as is apparently the case this year) except on rare occasion, I don't see this as doing any favors for the Cubs bullpen.