News
Cardinals to face familiar foe Thursday
St. Louis (30-23) vs. Cincinnati (28-24), 7:15 p.m. CT
By B.J. Rains / MLB.com
06/04/09 2:17 AM ET
ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals will face a familiar foe on Thursday night when Reds right-hander Aaron Harang takes the mound in the finale of the four-game set at Busch Stadium. Harang has made 19 starts against the Cardinals during his nine-year Major League career, including a seven-inning performance in which he allowed two earned runs on May 9 in Cincinnati to give the Reds an 8-3 win. "He's always tough on us," said Skip Schumaker, who at .333 (7-for-21) is the only Cardinals hitter with a lifetime batting average above .300 against the Reds right-hander. "He competes. He's been out there and had success a number of years in a row. You never know what he's going to do with you at any given time or count." Harang has thrown 115 innings against the Cardinals since entering the big leagues in 2002 and often faces the Cardinals three or even four times a season because of the unbalanced schedule that matches teams in the same division up against each other almost 20 games a season. That kind of familiarity between Harang and the Cardinals hitters throws video and other scouting methods out the window. When the two meet, they know they will be getting the others' best shot. "Obviously he probably knows what my strengths are and obviously I probably know what his strengths are," said outfielder Ryan Ludwick. "We're going to attack each other accordingly. He's going to win sometimes and I'm going to win sometimes. That's just the way it works." As a former Minor League teammate of Harang, Ludwick has seen the Cincinnati starter up close. The attention to detail that Harang shows, Ludwick said, is one of his biggest reasons for success. "He was a great teammate," Ludwick said. "He's one of those guys who just really take's their job in a very serious manor. He's a very focused individual. He's one of those guys who has made the most of his ability, and I respect him for that. "He's a good person. He goes about his business the right way and I think that's why he's had the success that he's had." Ludwick is not one of several Cardinals hitters who have struggled against Harang throughout their careers, as he has gone 5-for-17 for a .294 average. Slugger Albert Pujols is hitting just .280 in 50 career at-bats off of Harang.Chris Duncan is hitting just .167 against him with nine strikeouts in 18 career at-bats, meaning he could get the day off from manager Tony La Russa.
Harang is 7-9 with a 4.62 lifetime ERA against the Cardinals, but has fared much better against the current group of hitters. In 194 at-bats against Harang, current Cardinals batters have a career .263 batting average. The reason for his success, according to rookie Colby Rasmus, is simple. "He mixes it up," Rasmus said. "He's kind of deceptive in the way he throws a little bit. He spots it good, he mixes it up good. "He's just got good stuff." Something the Cardinals have known for quite a while. Pitching matchupSTL: RHP Chris Carpenter (3-0, 0.62 ERA)
The Cardinals' ace finally gave up an earned run on Saturday, but he was still outstanding. It's a tribute to how good Carpenter has been that his line against the Giants -- six innings, two runs, five strikeouts, one walk -- was a step back. Carpenter, for the most part, has looked as good as ever this year, with vintage stuff and command as well as his imposing mound presence. CIN: RHP Aaron Harang (5-5, 4.19 ERA)
In a 9-5 loss to the Brewers on Saturday, Harang allowed eight earned runs and 12 hits -- including three home runs -- over 4 1/3 innings pitched, with five strikeouts. His fastball was his only quality pitch, and once he established that he had no offspeed command, the Brewers jumped all over him. Over his past two starts, Harang has allowed 11 earned runs, 22 hits and four homers over just 9 1/3 innings. On May 9 vs. the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park, the right-hander gave up three runs (two earned) and seven hits over seven innings for an 8-3 victory. Tidbits
Cardinals relievers have allowed only 10 out of 74 inherited runners to score, good for 13.5 percent, the best in the Major Leagues. ... The bullpen also leads the Majors with 40 holds. ... Ten of the Cardinals' last 11 home runs have been solo shots. On the season, 36 of their 54 home runs have come with no one on base. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• FS-M HD On radio
• KTRS 550 Up next
• Friday: Cardinals (Adam Wainwright, 5-3, 3.38) vs. Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa, 0-6, 5.43), 7:15 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Cardinals (Todd Wellemeyer, 5-5, 5.05) vs. Rockies (Aaron Cook, 3-3, 4.94), 6:15 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Cardinals (Joel Pineiro, 5-5, 3.86) vs. Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez, 3-6, 4.11), 1:15 p.m. CT
B.J. Rains is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
