Haren masterful in complete game: Angels starting pitcher Dan Haren had yet to find his way in the 2012 season prior to Thursday’s game against the Mariners, however he looked as good as he ever has in the game, picking up his sixth career complete-game shutout to lead the Angels to a 3-0 win. Haren allowed just four hits in the game while establishing a new career-high in strikeouts with 14, as he mowed through the Mariners offense with ease. Haren allowed just three runners to reach second base, two of them on stolen bases, but was never in any real trouble, as he picked up just his second win of the season. Haren needed 126 pitches to finish the game, tossing first pitch strikes to 22 of the 31 batters he faced, as he was in control all night. (Updated 05/25/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Haren has typically been a much stronger first-half player than a second-half player, so the fact that his ERA was standing at a fairly robust 4.37 before this game was something of a surprise. After just one start, Haren lowered that number to 3.76, while simultaneously putting to rest any doubts about a possible decline in skills in his age-31 season. With the exception of an ugly 2-5 record, Haren’s starts are largely where we expected them to be this season, as he has struckout more than four batters for every one he has walked through 64 2/3 innings. He is set to face a tough Yankees lineup in his next start, on Tuesday during Week 9 (May 28-June 3), however he has put up a 5-1 record with a 3.43 ERA against them in 10 career starts, so consider him a solid Fantasy option in all formats. (Updated 05/25/2012).
05/25/2012 02:42 The Lineup: Dan Haren spins a gem, Braves laying eggs
Dan Haren struck out a career-high 14 batters and didn't walk a batter in his shutout victory over the Mariners. The Braves hit just .150 in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Reds.
05/25/2012 00:39 Pujols blasts 450th career HR, Haren fans career-high 14 in shutout
Albert Pujols had three hits, including the 450th home run of his career Dan Haren struck out a career-high 14 in tossing his sixth career complete-game shutout, and the Los Angeles Angels won their third straight with a 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.
05/23/2012 06:45 Dear Mr. Fantasy: Ups and downs of young players
Last year your team was a juggernaut. This year it's sitting in the cellar. What happened? You might even have most of those players back. If you're relying on young talent, our Scott White says prepare to take some lumps in his latest Dear Mr. Fantasy.
05/21/2012 10:09 Reality Check: Is Bauer keeping you up at night?
Does the prospect of Trevor Bauer getting his Major League Baseball debut in the near future keep you up at night? Scott White soothes the situation in his latest Reality Check.
Dan Haren got off to a solid start in 2011 and enjoyed one of the better campaigns of his career in his first full season with the Angels. He would go 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA over his first five appearances (four starts) and had an ERA of 2.98 through 28 outings. Giving up 21 earned runs over his finale 48 innings increased his ERA to 3.17 for the year, but it marked the fifth straight season he posted a mark under 4.00. The right-hander also matched his career high with 16 wins and he walked just 33 batters in 238 1/3 innings. Haren enters 2012 as the No. 2 starter in the rotation behind Jered Weaver and with new-addition C.J. Wilson slotted behind him, the Angels sport one of the better rotations in the American League, if not all of baseball. Consider Haren a Top 20 pitcher and worthy of an early round pick on Draft Day. (Updated 2/17/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start