pinkgoat_13
06-20-2008, 11:38 AM
Rich Harden has been an excellent pitcher throughout his career when healthy. Even so, his success this season has been remarkable.
Harden is averaging 11.31 strikeouts per nine innings, which easily exceeds his career average of 8.65. But while Harden has ratcheted up the punchouts, he hasn't sacrificed much in other areas.
Harden has thrown six consecutive quality starts, the last a six-inning, one-hit gem against the Giants. He had eight or more strikeouts in five of those games, and has had more hits than innings in only one game this year.
Florida's scheduled starter, Mark Hendrickson, is a study in contrast when compared to Harden, but he's been effective at guiding the Marlins to victory this year.
And, just as Oakland's winning ways have surprised and impressed many observers outside the A's clubhouse, so too has Florida's success. The Marlins' Opening Day payroll was not only the lowest in baseball, it was also less than one-half that of the next-lowest payroll (Tampa Bay). Oakland's, meanwhile, ranked 28th out of 30 teams.
While an A's-Marlins Interleague series may lack the natural excitement of a cross-town rivalry, it nonetheless will give two of baseball's most cost-effective organizations and their identical records a chance to measure up against each other.
Pitching matchup
OAK: RHP Rich Harden (4-0, 2.53 ERA)
Opponents are batting .208 against Harden, who has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six games. The A's have won seven of his nine outings this season, including his last three.
FLA: LHP Mark Hendrickson (7-5, 5.74 ERA)
While the 6-foot-0 Harden is a strikeout pitcher, the 6-foot-9 Hendrickson pitches to contact. He's allowed 92 hits in 80 innings, along with 33 walks, but has a winning record nonetheless. He's allowed 27 earned runs in 22 innings over his last five outings, two of which the Marlins have won.
Tidbits
Sixteen of Jack Cust's 34 RBIs this year have tied the game or given the A's the lead. ... Ryan Sweeney extended his hitting streak to 13 games, a season high for the team and a career high for him, during which he is batting .327 (17-for-52). ... Brad Ziegler's pickoff Thursday gives the A's a Major League-leading 14 for the season. Additionally, Rob Bowen caught both Diamondbacks who attempted to steal, improving the A's American League-leading caught-stealing percentage to 40 percent.
Harden is averaging 11.31 strikeouts per nine innings, which easily exceeds his career average of 8.65. But while Harden has ratcheted up the punchouts, he hasn't sacrificed much in other areas.
Harden has thrown six consecutive quality starts, the last a six-inning, one-hit gem against the Giants. He had eight or more strikeouts in five of those games, and has had more hits than innings in only one game this year.
Florida's scheduled starter, Mark Hendrickson, is a study in contrast when compared to Harden, but he's been effective at guiding the Marlins to victory this year.
And, just as Oakland's winning ways have surprised and impressed many observers outside the A's clubhouse, so too has Florida's success. The Marlins' Opening Day payroll was not only the lowest in baseball, it was also less than one-half that of the next-lowest payroll (Tampa Bay). Oakland's, meanwhile, ranked 28th out of 30 teams.
While an A's-Marlins Interleague series may lack the natural excitement of a cross-town rivalry, it nonetheless will give two of baseball's most cost-effective organizations and their identical records a chance to measure up against each other.
Pitching matchup
OAK: RHP Rich Harden (4-0, 2.53 ERA)
Opponents are batting .208 against Harden, who has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six games. The A's have won seven of his nine outings this season, including his last three.
FLA: LHP Mark Hendrickson (7-5, 5.74 ERA)
While the 6-foot-0 Harden is a strikeout pitcher, the 6-foot-9 Hendrickson pitches to contact. He's allowed 92 hits in 80 innings, along with 33 walks, but has a winning record nonetheless. He's allowed 27 earned runs in 22 innings over his last five outings, two of which the Marlins have won.
Tidbits
Sixteen of Jack Cust's 34 RBIs this year have tied the game or given the A's the lead. ... Ryan Sweeney extended his hitting streak to 13 games, a season high for the team and a career high for him, during which he is batting .327 (17-for-52). ... Brad Ziegler's pickoff Thursday gives the A's a Major League-leading 14 for the season. Additionally, Rob Bowen caught both Diamondbacks who attempted to steal, improving the A's American League-leading caught-stealing percentage to 40 percent.