The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden pitched five innings Thursday, Sept. 25, but did not pick up the decision as the Cubs lost 7-6 to the New York Mets.

Rich Harden allowed three runs -- two earned -- in six innings Thursday in a no-decision versus the Mets. Harden gave up two hits and walked five. It's the third time in the last four starts that he's allowed more hits than walks. Overall, he's allowed 39 hits and 30 walks in 71 innings for the Cubs. Harden is expected to be the team's No. 2 starter in the postseason.

News: Cubs SP Rich Harden pitched well again in a no decision at the Mets on Thursday, but he walked at least five batters for the second straight start. He allowed three runs -- two earned -- on two hits in six innings, walking five and striking out four.

Analysis: Harden walked six in five innings in his last start and isn't displaying the same kind of control he did earlier in the season. He remains next to unhittable, though, and has broken out as a Fantasy stud this season, managing to stay relatively healthy. Because of his long injury history, expect to draft him as a No. 2 Fantasy SP next season

News: The Cubs adjusted their pitching rotation this week to prepare for the first round of the playoffs. The NL Central champions pushed SP Rich Harden back a couple of days to Thursday and bumped Ted Lilly to the weekend series at Milwaukee. That means Chicago's top four starters, Carlos Zambrano, Harden, Ryan Dempster and Lilly, each will get one tuneup start before the regular season ends. "We're starting to get ourselves rearranged for postseason," manager Lou Piniella said, adding that the oft-injured Harden feels good. Left-hander Sean Marshall will get the ball Tuesday night at the Mets instead of Harden, who will go in Lilly's spot Thursday at Shea Stadium. Zambrano goes Wednesday, and Dempster's turn comes up again Friday against the Brewers.

Analysis: Harden looked like a two-start pitcher entering the final week, but you had to expect the Cubs to make a move like this. You still want him active, though. He's remained relatively healthy for the first time in his career, arguably pitching like the best pitcher in baseball through 24 starts. He'll likely enter 2004 as a No. 2 Fantasy SP because of the injury risk

The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden's next scheduled start has been pushed back to Thursday, Sept. 25. He was originally scheduled to start Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Rich Harden will have his next start pushed back to Thursday with Sean Marshall filling in on Tuesday, according to the Cubs Official Website. Harden is not hurt. "Harden says it's the best he's felt, but we're starting to get ourselves rearranged for the postseason," manager Lou Pinella said.We will take the club at its word here, though with Harden you always have to hold your breath when any changes are enacted. If you have Harden on your roster you simply cannot bench him, so roll him out there an hope the Cubs are on the up and up.

The Cubs have pushed Rich Harden's start back from Tuesday to Thursday. Sean Marshall will pitch in his place on Tuesday. This suggests that Harden will be slotted into the postseason rotation in between Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster.Source: Newark Star-Ledger Related: Sean Marshall

The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden allowed one run on one hits and six walks while fanning seven in his no-decision Thursday, Sept. 18.

News: It was an interesting start on Thursday against the Brewers for Cubs SP Rich Harden. Harden was pitching for the first time in a week and just the second time in 20 days. He had control problems and lasted just five innings while throwing 115 pitches. He gave up only one hit but walked six -- one intentionally -- and struck out seven, giving up a run in the first.

Analysis: Harden will gain his control back and he's won his last five decisions. He pitches twice in the season's final week and that makes him a must-start Fantasy SP. His next scheduled start comes Tuesday at the Mets. His second start comes at Milwaukee

Though he was otherwise dominant, Harden's control should certainly raise a bit of speculation here, as he'd topped four free passes just once previously in all of '08. The ace righty will more than likely settle back into a groove, but owners and Cubs fans alike should keep a close watch on him when he next takes the mound on Sept. 24 against the Mets at Shea Stadium.

Rich Harden only gave up one hit in five innings and struck out seven but he also walked six Brewers. In Harden's five innings his pitch total rose quickly to 115. When Harden exited after the fifth inning, he was in line for the win but the bullpen gave it back to the Brewers. The Cubs offense came to the bullpen's rescue as they rallied for a 7-6 win in 11 innings.This was Harden's second start since returning to the hill and his lack of control might have some Cubs fans worried. Even though his walk numbers were higher than normal, Harden is averaging over 11 strikeouts per nine innings.

Despite walking six, Rich Harden yielded one run in five innings Thursday against the Brewers. We'll be waiting to see how Harden's arm feels after this one. Because of his command problems, he threw 115 pitches in the five innings. He allowed only one hit and struck out seven.

Rich Harden only gave up one hit in five innings and struck out seven but he also walked six Brewers. In Harden's five innings his pitch total rose quickly to 115. When Harden exited after the fifth inning, he was in line for the win but the bullpen gave it back to the Brewers. The Cubs offense came to the bullpens rescue as they rallied for a 7-6 win in 11 innings.This was Harden's second start since returning to the hill and the lack of control might have some Cubs fans worried. Even though his walk numbers were higher than normal, Harden is averaging over 11 strikeouts per nine innings.

Cubs.MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden is 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA when at his home ballpark this year. He has struck out 115 in 85 1/3 innings as well.

MLB.com reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden (10-2, 2.04 ERA) will start Thursday, Sept. 18, against the Milwaukee Brewers.

News: The Cubs moved Ted Lilly ahead of Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis in the rotation, opting to start the left-hander Monday against Houston at Miller Park. Dempster pitches Tuesday, while Marquis, Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano follow.

Analysis: Harden will be a one-start pitcher in Fantasy Week 25 (Sept. 15-21). Consider him a viable option in most mixed leagues in Fantasy crunch time. He hasn't had a bad start in a long time

Just another day at the office for Harden, who has been resting his discomforted throwing arm since Aug. 29. The hard-throwing righty is now 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA over his last five trips to the mound. If he gets his normal five days of rest, Harden will face the Brewers at Wrigley Field next.

News: Cubs SP Rich Harden worked six solid innings in the Cubs' 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night. Harden (10-2) allowed two runs and five hits in his first appearance since working five innings Aug. 29 against Philadelphia and then skipping a turn due to arm discomfort. Harden walked one and had three K's. His ERA is 2.04.

Analysis: Harden looked sharp on Thursday and is one of the most dominant pitchers in Fantasy. He should be starting, when healthy, in all Fantasy leagues every week. Still, he next pitches on Wednesday against Ben Sheets and the Brewers and that is a tough matchup. He should still be starting, however, unless your other options are overwhelmingly better, and we doubt that

Rich Harden helped to defeat the Cardinals on Thursday night as he worked six innings allowing just two runs in his 10th win of the year, fifth with the Cubs, despite reduced velocity on his fastball.This was Harden's first appearance since August 29th, and while he only struck out three batters he needed just 86 pitches to make it through six innings in what must be deemed a successful return to the hill for the oft injured one.

Rich Harden helped to defeat the Cardinals on Thursday night as he worked six innings allowing just two runs in his 10th win of the year (fifth with the Cubs).This was Harden's first appearance since August 29th, and while he only struck out three batters he needed just 86 pitches to make it through six innings in what must be deemed a successful return to the hill for the oft injured one.

Rich Harden won in his first start in 13 days by allowing two runs over six innings Thursday against the Cardinals. The Cubs got two unearned runs off Todd Wellemeyer and one run off Kyle McClellan in a 3-2 win. Kerry Wood allowed a leadoff double to Brendan Ryan to start the ninth, but he was bailed out after Ryan overslid third base on a bid for a sac bunt. Harden was taken out after 86 pitches tonight. His velocity was down considerably all evening -- he was often at 89-90 mph -- but he was plenty effective anyway.

Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden is tied for his career high in strikeouts with 167 this season. In August, Harden sported a 3-0 record and a 1.82 ERA, giving up six earned runs in 29 2/3 innings pitched.

News: Cubs SP Rich Harden, 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA since joining the Cubs on July 8 in a six-player deal with Oakland, is set to rejoin the rotation on Thursday. He missed one start with discomfort in his arm.

Analysis: Keep him active in all Fantasy formats for his Thursday start and cross your fingers that he doesn't suffer any setbacks. He's one of the most dominant pitchers in Fantasy when healthy

Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden (arm) threw on the side Monday, Sept. 8, and will start Thursday, Sept. 11.

Rich Harden will start Thursday against the Cardinals, manager Lou Piniella said. The original plan was for him to go Wednesday on 11 days' rest, but Ted Lilly will pitch then. Harden has been dealing with unspecified discomfort in his throwing arm.Related: Ted Lilly

Joe Kay, of The Associated Press, reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden (arm) threw Friday, Sept. 5, without discomfort. He is still scheduled to start Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Rich Harden threw Friday without experiencing any problems according to the AP. He missed his last start with discomfort in his arm.It appears Harden will be available to go on Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. He has a 1.50 ERA in 54 innings with the Cubs this season.

Cubs pitcher Rich Harden has discomfort in his throwing arm, which is why the Cubs skipped his last start, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Harden said he was feeling pretty good, but, "I've had a little bit of, I guess you could call it discomfort, but nothing serious."Bad news for Cubs fans, not to mention fantasy owners, especially with Carlos Zambrano's shoulder problems. Injuries to these two hurlers are the only thing that could stop the Cubs from making a deep playoff run.

Rich Harden, who isn't scheduled to start again until next Wednesday, admitted to some arm discomfort. "I’ve been feeling pretty good, but I guess I’ve had a little bit of discomfort you could call it. But nothing serious," he said. It's always serious when it comes to Harden. He'll go 11 days without pitching before attempting to return to the mound next week.

News: Cubs manager Lou Piniella revealed right-hander Rich Harden, who is being given 12 days between starts to rest his arm, has experienced some soreness. "No, I don't think he has a tired arm," Piniella said. "He's had some discomfort, also." Harden, who last pitched Friday against the Phillies, isn't scheduled to pitch again until Sept. 10 in St. Louis. He's been on the disabled list six times in his career. "They were planning on skipping me even before I came here and it just seemed like a decent time," said Harden, 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA and five double-digit strikeout games in nine starts with Chicago since being acquired in a trade from Oakland. "I've been feeling pretty good, but I guess I've had a little bit of discomfort you could call it. But nothing serious."

Analysis: Well, Harden obviously doesn't realize what he puts us through in Fantasy. Any discomfort is serious with him. He should be a decent one-start option in Fantasy Week 24 (Sept. 8-14), but you know his history, so we cannot guarantee he makes his next start at this point. Track his progress through the weekend before considering him

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden (arm) has been experiencing discomfort recently, according to manager Lou Piniella. Harden will pitch again Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Although he says he's not injured, Rich Harden isn't slated to pitch again until next Wednesday. It makes sense for the Cubs to give Harden an extra couple of days off now and then, but they wouldn't be giving him 11 days' rest unless there was something wrong. Manager Lou Piniella practically admitted as much. "He needed the time, obviously," Piniella said. "If he could pitch, we would have kept him in the rotation." Be afraid.Source: Chicago Tribune

Owners need not read anything into the move, as the Cubs have had a scout at six of Harden's 11 starts and monitored the other five, during which the oft-injured hurler has passed all the tests. "He needed the time," manager Lou Piniella said. "Obviously, if he could pitch, we would've kept him in the rotation." As a result of the move, the Cubs' rotation for the upcoming trip to Cincinnati this weekend will be Ted Lilly on Friday, Jason Marquis on Saturday and Carlos Zambrano on Sunday. Ryan Dempster will open the St. Louis series Sept. 9, with Harden following in either the second or third game.

Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden (rest) will skip his next start as a precautionary measure. General manager Jim Hendry said the move was planned when the team acquired Harden.

In an effort to keep him healthy, the Chicago Cubs are giving hurler Rich Harden a few extra days of rest, and he will skip his next start, according to Cubs.com.Harden has been brilliant all season, and his overall ERA on the year is 1.99, and he is averaging 11.47 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.