Steven Matz made his big league debut this past weekend, and he could not have been any better. Matz is considered one of the best pitching prospects in the game, so there is no doubt that he will help the Mets in what has been a recent struggle. While his call up benefits both the team and himself, perhaps it benefits Mets’ ace Matt Harvey the most. Assuming Matz stays put in his spot in the starting rotation, he will take a lot of the load off of Harvey’s shoulders, and should help him win more ballgames as the season goes on.
Harvey is not having as bad of a season as everybody claims he is. In fact, he is still has seven wins, a 3.08 ERA, and a 2.3 WAR in nearly 100 innings pitched. By most standards, Harvey is having a phenomenal season with few struggles if any. However, because he was virtually untouchable before having Tommy John’s Surgery in 2013, as well as the fact that he plays in New York, Harvey has been under a lot of criticism. But no matter how you see Harvey, he can do much better, and will now that Matz has been called up.
Throughout this season, Harvey has pitched the game before Jon Niese takes the mound, and Niese is not having a good season. Niese has just three wins in 15 games played so far this season, and has stayed in a starting role because he was the only lefty in the rotation. Therefore, when Harvey takes the mound, he realizes that he has to win the ballgame, because it is highly unlikely that the Mets win the next game. This has led to Harvey over thinking on the mound, and throwing a couple of sloppy pitches that have cost him a few games.
By Matz joining the rotation and pitching after Harvey, the Mets’ ace will be able to relax more while on the mound. There is no promise that Matz will be as great as he expected to be, but he is going around the majors for the first time with electric stuff, which should help him edge out a good number of wins. By getting these wins, not only will the Mets have a better record, but Harvey will be much more comfortable.
Setting up a starting rotation is no easy task…especially when it’s a rotation like the Mets’. With five aces on the staff and a six-man rotation, Terry Collins has to do a lot of mixing and matching in order to get everything right. By putting the weakest starter after the one that is the most hyped, a lot of stress was put on Harvey’s back, but now that all seems to be over. Matz will provide Harvey and the Mets with some relief, and we can hope to expect that he should win a majority of the games he starts from now to the end of the season.
i think you are over thinking about what Harvey may or may not be over thinking.
How does Matz help Harvey when the Met’s provide zero run support for Harvey? Where is the heavy criticism coming from? Beat reporters? The fans? The FO? Need to specify please. the Met’s should skip every 8th start for Harvey. I’d rather see 28 good starts than have Harvey go on the DL with a dead arm. Harvey had 17 scoreless innings over 2 starts and had nothing to show for it. His home run ratio is up. And? his velocity is still there. His fastball just doesn’t seem to have that late explosion before the TJ surgery. Being wild in the strike zone especially when you have 2 strikes on the hitter is just a matter of Harvey willing to accept that the pitch doesn’t have to be a strike.
Matz’ presence helps take innings off of Harvey, that’s the only direct impact he has. Other than that, it can never hurt to have another young stud to inspire a little competition.