Cubs hoping for a healthy Harden

ESPN.com

Updated: July 8, 2008

Gary A. Vasquez/US Presswire

Rich Harden will be pitching in the sunshine at Wrigley Field as a member of the Cubs.

IN GOOD HEALTH

By MARK SIMON, ESPN Research

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASEBALL
• Cardinals at Phillies, 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Cubs' acquisition of Rich Harden makes sense, so long as they can keep him on the field and healthy. When things are right for Harden, he's impressive. He's 5-1 career against National League opponents -- 3-0 with an 0.68 ERA this year.

The problem is keeping Harden healthy, as he's missed more than 350 days of pitching assignments. When he does pitch, take a look at who he measures up with:

Best winning pct. since 2003, minimum 50 decisions
Player Pct.
Chien-Ming Wang .730
Chris Carpenter .729
Roy Halladay .694
Johan Santana .679
Rich Harden .655

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: July 7 | July 6 | July 3 | July 2 | July 1 | June 30

FORWARD THINKING: WEDNESDAY

Josh Beckett • Twins at Red Sox, 1:05 p.m. ET: Josh Beckett (8-5, 3.70 ERA) has not permitted more than two walks in any of his past six starts. He is on pace for 38 this season, which would be the lowest total of his career. Livan Hernandez (9-5, 5.18 ERA) is 3-1 over his past four starts and 1-0 this season against the Red Sox.

Sidney Ponson • Rays at Yankees, 1:05 p.m. ET: Sidney Ponson (5-1, 4.19 ERA) must be enjoying his time with the Yankees. In his two outings, the Yankees have scored 27 combined runs. Edwin Jackson (5-6, 4.08 ERA) has given up 10 homers this season, but only two have come on the road.

Mark Mulder • Cardinals at Phillies, 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN: After two relief appearances, Mark Mulder (0-0, 13.50 ERA) makes his first start of the season. J.A. Happ (0-0, 3.86 ERA) is making just his second start of the season.

• Complete list of pitching probables for Wednesday's games


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BBTN ON THE AIR: WEDNESDAY

TIME WHO'S ON?
10 p.m. ET
ESPN		 Host: Steve Berthiaume
Analysts: Peter Gammons, Chris Singleton, John Kruk, Steve Phillips
12 a.m. ET
ESPN		 Host: Steve Berthiaume
Analysts: Chris Singleton, Steve Phillips

BBTN MINUTE: BIGGER TRADE, SABATHIA OR HARDEN?

TUESDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES

GOOD
Andy Pettitte• Andy Pettitte breezed through the Rays' order, tossing eight shutout innings. He allowed only four hits and did not issue a walk.
BAD
Jeremy Sowers• Jeremy Sowers is still winless, now 0-5 after giving up 10 hits and seven runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Tigers. His ERA now stands at 7.81.
UGLY
Odalis Perez• Odalis Perez made the bullpen work. He lasted only 2 2/3 innings, but not because of poor pitching. He was ejected for arguing a balk call in the third inning.

"TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME"

Ballgame It's the 100th anniversary of baseball's most famous tune, and "Baseball Tonight" has asked nine popular musical artists to record a rendition of the song to be used in a battle of the bands. The field has been trimmed to three. Take a listen and vote on your favorite one. The winner will be announced on July 13.

FANTASY: PREVIEW OF WEDNESDAY'S GAMES

Sean Allen examines the pitching matchups in store for the 15 games on Wednesday's schedule of games.

Fantasy Allen also looks at injuries and details player reports that could help shape the way you put together your roster for Wednesday's games. Daily Notes

NEWS AND NOTES

Eric Byrnes• Eric Byrnes, on the DL with a strained left hamstring, is set to have an MRI on Thursday. The D-backs admitted Byrnes could miss the remainder of the season.

Alfonso Soriano• Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano said Tuesday he does not plan on returning to action before the All-Star break. Soriano has been out since June 12 with a broken left hand.