Sabathia v. Harden

There's all kinds of talk about CC Sabathia: what a tremendous pickup he was, how he should merit MVP consideration, etc.

Almost ignored, meanwhile, is Rich Harden and what he's done for the Cubs.

Don't get me wrong; Sabathia has been brilliant. Since becoming a Brewer, he's pitched 73 innings and given up 60 hits and 52 earned runs, posting an ERA+ of 270 and a WHIP of 1.027.

Meanwhile, all Rich Harden has done is pitch 42 innings, giving up 26 hits and 7 (count 'em!) earned runs, and posting an ERA+ of 300 and a WHIP of 0.952. The innings difference boils down to the Cubs trying to take care of Harden's arm/health, whereas Ned Yost seems determined to get as much out of Sabathia's arm as he can.

I know how good a pitcher Sabathia is. I'm just suggesting that as good as he's been since the trade, Harden's been better.

(And no, this has nothing whatsoever to do with my Cub bias...)