...in the end I think I care more about consistency, getting outs, limiting damage, getting shutdown innings after our side scores, and the ability to pitch later into games. In that regard, I don’t really care a whole lot how someone gets the job done, just that he does.

At the same time, it’s fun to watch a pitcher with the ability to blow hitters away, but it’s also fun to watch someone who you look at and think “There’s no way he should be getting these guys out the way he does” yet he does. Look at how long Jamie Moyer did it. There’s a classic example of someone who learned how to pitch because he couldn’t just throw a near-100 MPH fastball by someone. When you can watch a pitcher with great command of the ball and strike zone (hello, Greg Maddux), that’s something special.

Even more impressive are the pitchers who start out one way then adapt to continue pitching well as their velocity goes down. See: Frank Tanana. There’s a guy who, early in his career, topped 200 strikeouts three of his first four full seasons, then later on still pitched pretty well in spite of those totals dropping.

why Detroit took Bonderman when they had a chance at Harden. I wonder who got the best of the deal all in all

If Rich goes down with arm trouble again, I’d like to see them move him to a closer role. Strikeouts are so key in the final few innings, when you get guys on and any ball hit into play might score a run. Rich is exactly the type of pitcher to get those swings-and-misses. Street is also a good strikeout pitcher when he is on, but I’ve seen him leave balls up in the zone and get hit hard so many times, I question if he’ll ever be able to secure more than 80% of his SVOs.

The broadcasters have been talking a lot about Harden relying on two pitches this year more than before. Anyone know how true this is? Have some hard numbers on it? Does the splitter put more strain on the arm than other pitchers? Unless I’m mistaken he is throwing a lot fewer of these this year, relying on that sick downward-moving change up a lot more.

We all know we love Hardens stuff as its exciting to watch. Any strikeout pitcher is. Duke’s consistency is less flashy but also effective.

I prefer harden’s as a fan watching a game, but fact is, we have two different style pitchers who can both give us a high percentage chance of winning everytime they take the mound. You know what you’re going to get from them and they will rarely get lit up.

They both have shown the constant ability to get outs and put up scoreless inning after scoreless inning for opposing offenses.

I think we will see a game shortly from harden where he doesn’t allow any runs, the fact that he’s only given up a few runs in a couple innings through his starts this year show me he’s on the up and up. Take into account the only real team that has not been of any threat with their poor batting was the Tigers. He’s been very good against some of the best hitting lineups in the league. Including those rangers, who in my opinion are the best hitters in the league this season. When harden gets a start against a sub par hitting team, we will all see his true dominance with an near impecable stat line, one where we will only need one run to win.

During the late 90’s, when Pedro had those 2.0 ERA years, he’s got the high 90 fastball, and crazy movements on his pitches. I remember him going deep into the game because he can keep throwing strikes and no one can touch those pitches. I would like to see what his contact % was back in those years? As far as peak years go, those are the most dominant I’ve ever seen a pitcher.

when they’re on their game, different though they are.

his Fast Ball and Slow Ball

Fireballers are plain fun to watch. They’re the sports cars of the pitching world. Harden, Beckett, Nolan Ryan (ESPN Classic). They’re flashy. They get attention.

Control artists are sedans. Reliable, functional. But it doesn’t necessarily make them less fun to watch. Maddux, Duke, Moyer, Glavine. If anything, it’s easier to appreciate them—there seems to be a lot less pitchers than throwers out there.

Watching elite players at the top of their game is great entertainment, no matter what their styles. As opposed to watching, say, Carlos Silva.

But I’ve been in love with Rich ever since he came up, and so therefore I would always rather watch him pitch. But I do admit that the high pitch counts get a little annoying after awhile, and I would love nothing more than to see him get deeper into games. I don’t think it’s possible to have a super pitcher that does BOTH…which would be perfect. I watch the Rockies a lot, and Aaron Cook is a master at pitching to contact…he’s extremely efficient, and I think it’s really fun to watch. I like the contact pitchers, but I also love watching all those swings and misses. Best of both worlds, I guess…

What is great is being able to pitch them back-to-back. Because of their converse pitching style’s, the effect if polarizing and maximizes the up-sides of their respective ability’s. Can you imagine facing Harden’s 98FB, and then the next night facing Duke’s sniper FB’s and that big-loopy curve?