Given the chance, Harden can be the man for the Cubs in the playoffs

When asked which Cubs pitcher can turn into a star in the postseason such as Josh Beckett in 2003, I think the typical response to that would be Ryan Dempster. I don't deny that and he is definitely capable of it. But I'm gonna say the pitcher I've been high on ever since the Cubs traded for him, Rich Harden.

Harden has some of the nastiest stuff you will see, especially his fastball and his splitter. Every start he has you can expect great stuff from him almost all of the time. The key will be does Pinella finally use him to his potential.

Since Harden has been known more to be on the DL than anything, Pinella at most would pitch him 7 innings a game. But more often then not he would go only 5 to 6 innings. One would think this would be so they could save him and he would be his healthiest for the playoffs. Well it's playoff time now Lou. It's time to unleash him.

If Lou is willing to let him go as deep into the game as necessary, he will be a valuable asset for the Cubs in the playoffs. But I'm not positive that will be the case as we saw even in the playoffs, Pinella puts almost too much trust in his bullpen. The example of that was pulling Zambrano too early in Game 1 against Az last year in a matchup with Brandon Webb. That decision cost the Cubs Game 1 and turned the series in the Dbacks favor. That will not cut it this time around. Harden needs to go 7-8 innings in his starts if he will be his most effective.

But if he is used to the best of his abilities, he will be the difference in the Cubs going to and even winning the World Series. Before Harden, the Cubs would have been looking at Lilly as their game 3 starter and Marquis as their Game 4 starter. A frightening prospect. Harden has given the starting ritation unbeliavable depth that will be a tremendous benefit in the playoffs.

As I said, this will be all on Pinella. If he is unwilling to unleash him on the rest of the Cubs opponents from here on out, it will be nothing but greatness and every Cubs fan will remember the name Rich Harden.