face palmThe Mets managed just one hit at home against the last place Braves. The Mets’ lineup made Matt Wisler look like Jim Palmer, hitting pop-up after pop-up off him for 8 innings. Typically, it happened during a Matt Harvey start. The right hander has had his own struggles, but not getting any run support all season has certainly not helped matters.

Thought the Mets did hit the ball hard a number of times, it was right at well positioned Braves. Asdrubal Cabrera managed the lone single from our unusually quiet offense. Matt Harvey again cruised through the first four innings before struggling in the fifth and then falling apart in the sixth. Again, he threw too many belt high pitches that are catnip for fastball hitters. In all, Harvey surrendered 8 hits and 2 walks in 5 2/3 innings. For good measure, he added two wild pitches. Among his lowlights was a homerun surrendered to light hitting Mallex Smith.

Harvey’s ERA now stands at an ugly 4.76. Recently, pitching coach Dan Warthen indicated that he noted a mechanical flaw. Clearly it hasn’t been worked out. To this writer, who only pitched Varsity and now coaches 10 year olds, it’s obvious. He’s landing short. Harvey’s lead foot is landing about a foot short of where it should and at the release point, his body is too upright. Watch film of him from last year or watch Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard for a point of comparison. Landing short means he’s not following through all the way (why his fastballs are too high) and not getting his back into his motion enough (why his velocity is down a few ticks). This can be a sign of fatigue.

So that we don’t pick on Harvey too much, consider that Jacob deGrom and Jeurys Familia also aren’t quite where they need to be. Perhaps it’s a hangover from last year’s heavy workload. The lousy early season weather probably doesn’t help matters either. It’s a long season and these guys are stars. They’ll work it out. In any case, this loss can’t be hung on Harvey. You can’t get one-hit at home against a bad team with a no name pitcher. Tomorrow’s another day with a day game to close out the series – Steven Matz vs. Joulys Chacin. Let’s win the series and hit the road on a high note.

11 comments on “Gut reaction: Braves 3, Mets 0, 5/3/2016

  • Name

    “but not getting any run support all season has certainly not helped matters.”

    Blatantly false. Someone hasn’t been watching the games. Harvey has received 4.3 runs per game, which is 3rd among the starters…
    The guy who should be complaining this year is Syndergaard, who has received just 2.86 runs per game.

    Harvey has just been an utter disaster so far, having completed 6 innings in just 2 starts.

    • MattyMets

      stats can be deceiving, especially early in the season. In Harvey’s first two starts the Mets scored 2 and 3 runs repectively. Now he got shutout. Starts 3-5 the team managed 5, 6, and 5 runs, many scored after he left the game.

      It puts extra pressure on a struggling pitcher when it’s 0-0 after 4. Would be nice to give him an early lead.

      By the way, best example of a deceptive early stat is Matz’ era. Early on, one bad start is all it takes to throw it off kilter.

      • Name

        The Mets have scored first and early in 3 of his 6 starts. Two starts they didn’t score early were the first two games, when Harvey went up against the Royals Opening Day starter and the Phillies Opening day starter.
        Yes, Going up against other good pitchers is the price and burden you have to take on when you’re selected as the Opening day starter.

        • MattyMets

          I think we can agree that run support hasn’t been an issue for Matz.

  • Chris F

    John Harper ‎@NYDNHarper

    That was nuts. Braves absolutely giving Granderson the whole left side for a bunt, leading off down 3 in 9th. And he couldn’t take the gift.

    • James Preller

      It’s why I think the shift is good for baseball, good for hitting in general. Offenses must adapt and adjust and, I believe, we will see a new valuation for the complete hitter. The guy who can use the bat. The who doesn’t have just one swing in his arsenal. Who can hit to all fields.

      At the same time, there will always be natural pull hitters. When called upon to revamp their mechanics at a late point in their career, it’s a recipe for disaster. Curtis, at this point, can only be Curtis. But to your point: Should he work on his bunting? Yes, he should. The defenses have made their move. Now it’s time for the offenses to counter-attack. In the end, I think it will made for better hitters, which I why I don’t believe in the argument (made by some) that shifting should be banned. Ultimately, it will be good for baseball.

      • Matty Mets

        Duda’s accidental bunt the other day was a perfect example. Against that exaggerated shift, if Duda could learn to bunt down the third baseline he’d hit .400 until they stop shifting on him.

      • Brian Joura

        People who think shifting should be banned are clowns.

        Didn’t someone on the Yankees just come out and support a ban? The manager, maybe?

  • Eraff

    Granderson Leading of…0-2 Count in a 0-0 game Big Shift…

    Bunting for a hit a more likely success than hitting 0-2?– I think so!

  • Charlie Hangley

    Nobody, no team fires on all cylinders every game.

    Wisler seems to have the Mets’ number. It happens.

    Hitch ’em up and go get ’em this afternoon…

  • Metsense

    Harvey was sick on Monday. Earlier in the year he had a medical problem. He says he his healthy enough to pitch. His record indicates he isn’t as healthy as he says he is. He says he needs to work harder between starts. Sounds like David Wright. They need to have him backoff instead of pitching the day after being sick. Overcautious, probably, but it is a long season and a very valuable arm they are dealing with.
    Banning shifts is absurd.Don’t punish smart people. Learn to bunt instead.

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