Wouldn’t you know it? The Mets are on a four-game winning streak!
It’s hardly cause for celebration, but winning four games in a row (and in the process two series in a row) is at least a little soothing after all the suffering Mets’ fans have had to endure in the past month or so.
Also helping matters is the way Matt Harvey is holding up his end of the bargain. Ever since he got called up on July 26, Harvey has given the Mets a shot in the arm, which was exactly what they needed. For a staff sans Johan Santana and Dillon Gee, Harvey is bringing stability to the rotation while also restoring faith in a seemingly hopeless fanbase.
Harvey has now made seven starts and has thrown five quality outings in the process. His other two starts were perhaps his best and his worst. Harvey was splendid in his debut in Arizona when he pitched 5.1 shutout innings, allowing only three hits and three walks while striking out 11 batters (a Mets’ team record for a rookie pitcher making his debut). Harvey’s start almost a week later in San Diego was his worst, when he only pitched five innings and allowed five earned runs on eight hits.
Outside of that minor hiccup against the Padres, Harvey has been everything he was pegged to be and then some.
After Harvey shut down the Phillies on Wednesday night, throwing 6.1 innings and giving up just two runs on six hits and two walks, Harvey upped his record to 2-3 while reducing his ERA to 2.76. While Harvey is still a bit wild at times, he still boasts 49 strikeouts to 15 walks. That works out to a solid 3.2 K to walk ratio. That’s nothing to sneeze at.
Of course, there will be some bumps along the way as Harvey is far from a finished product, but given the circumstances he was pushed into it is great to see Harvey thriving while the team around him struggles.
With Harvey being such an integral part of the future, he will be handled with kid gloves the rest of the way. With Harvey’s total innings between Buffalo and New York approaching the 160 inning threshold, the Mets (like a certain team in the nation’s capital is doing with a certain pitcher) are planning to shut him down in order to preserve his arm.
I can’t say I disagree with the plan, considering the Mets really have nothing to play for. There is a lot riding on the right, power arm of Harvey. Making sure Harvey is cocked and loaded for a full load next year should be the ultimate goal. Hopefully the Mets will have better parts around Harvey next year so that he can make August and September games meaningful once again.
So, enjoy Harvey and his power arm while you can, cause it’s about to be shut down in a couple of starts. For a season that has left the fans disappointed more times than not, at least Harvey is delivering on his promise.
Follow me on Twitter @Stacdemon
If the Mets win today that would mean a sweep of the Phillies and a five-game winning streak, which would match their longest of the season. Can I celebrate a little then?
Dan:
Nice piece.
Matt Harvey has proven to both the Mets and their fns that he was the right pick in the draft.
Now, let’s make sure there isn’t a bar of soap on the shower floor.
H e l l Yeah!
Sure, Brian, go wild. Just make sure you have a designated driver.
Thanks Mack.
I’m trying to be cautious with my expectations re. Harvey, but man I can’t help it. I”m giddy with anticipation in regard to his potential.
Well written article, Dan.
With better support, the way Matt Harvey has pitched, his record could easily be 4-2 with his era below 3.
Perhaps with his bat we should consider putting him in the OF! 🙂
Matt Harvey has EXCEEDED my expectations. I thought he’d be this good, but I didn’t think he’d be this good this quickly. He really hit the minors running. Temper expectations as always but I think when Santana is officially gone, Harvey will be the opening day starter (Dickey will be next year).
Baseball seems to be turning out a better player than we have been used to… the real talented players, be them college or high school, seem to be successfully going through the levels must faster.
Training> Equiptment? Fathers starting sons earlier? Single sport emphasis in school?
David, you said what I also thought: he was going to be something special, but not this good, this quickly. It is interesting to see his first starts compared with those of Gooden.
Harvey reminds me of Tom Seaver in his focus, demeanor, attitude, leg drive and ability to pitch out of a jam. I hope he continues to progress toward that pinnacle of pitching perfection. At the worst the Mets have a solid #3 starter. I hate to make the comparison because Harvey is Harvey but the feeling of deja vu is haunting. In his first year 1967 Seaver was 16-13, 2.76 ERA, 170K’s and 251 IP.
Maybe you should also mention his hitting! I would actually use harvey BEFORE Bay in a pinch hitting situation.