MLB: Dan Haren deserves a better fate -- and at least some Cy Young consideration

September 20, 4:47 PMMLB ExaminerTony DeMarco

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Dan Haren isn't going to garner much NL Cy Young Award consideration -- not with the seasons Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and Tim Lincecum are having for contending teams.

But we'll just let the numbers speak for themselves here:

Haren's Arizona Diamondbacks are 65-85 after Sunday's 5-1 loss to Colorado. Haren is 14-9 despite a 2.90 ERA in 31 starts. In no fewer than seven of those losses, the D-Backs offense scored one run or less.  

Haren leads NL starters with a 6.28 strikeouts-to-walk ratio, innings pitched with 217.1, and is tied for first in quality starts with 24.

Haren also is tied for second in the NL with three complete games, and third with 207 strikeouts and a .214 opponents batting average.

And don't forget that Haren went into the All-Star break with nine wins, and 2.01 ERA, and became the first player in MLB history to lead the majors in ERA, strikeout-to-walk ratio, WHIP and opponents' batting average. 

"We beat one of the best today,'' Rockies manager Jim Tracy said.

Haren's 2.90 ERA usually is good enough to lead the league, but it's only ninth this year behind LIncecum (2.30), Carpenter (2.34), Wainwright (2.59), Matt Cain (2.71), Jair Jurrjens (2.75), Wandy Rodriguez (2.77), J.A. Happ (2.77) and Clayton Kershaw (2.89).

For more info: Haren's bio