He has a career 3.66 ERA and a sparkling 1.19 WHIP to go with it.
Not yet 31 years old and a top 10 pitcher in both leagues at one point or another, Dan Haren has already proven his mettle. A typical year for Haren is a 5-plus WAR and 2011 should be no different, even with a fluky 2010 thrown into the mix.
Haren had a 4.60 ERA in the launching pad that is the D-Backs yard, he allowed 23 jacks in less than 150 NL innings (before his trade and subsequent sub-3 ERA with LAA).
So, coming off a down year (for him), which was almost entirely due to an upped HR/AB ratio, Haren goes to a bigger yard and gets to face Seattle and the A’s instead of the Rockies, so his ERA should drop below four once again.
His walk rate was stellar to begin with, the only difference between Haren last year and any other was the 285 BAA opposing hitters netted when facing the shaggy Irishman.
Everyone seems to think the Rangers will repeat, given their highly talented offense and defense. Heck, a lot of people pick the Oaks to win the division, even with an average, at best, offense.
If there is one team that can rival Oakland’s pitching, its the Angels. With Ervin Santana, Jared “Dreams” Weaver and Joel Pineiro, they already have as good a top three as anyone outside of Boston. But when you throw in Haren, a certifiable stud, you have the potential to shut down AL West offenses.
If the Angels have a downfall, it won’t be the starting pitching. Bullpen is another story, however.
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