Matt Harvey is amazing and it’s not, like Louis C.K. might say, that no one’s happy but rather that no one’s impressed. In his last nine games, Harvey has a 1.64 ERA, a 0.994 WHIP and a .554 OPS. How are we not singing his praises at the top of our lungs? Harvey became a national star in the beginning of the 2013 season when, in his first nine games, he posted a 1.55 ERA over 63.2 IP. Now great numbers elicit nothing more than a yawn.
At the beginning of the year everyone was so excited whenever it was Harvey’s turn to pitch. There was an electricity in the air and “Relax, it’s Harvey Day!” memes everywhere. Now, it’s just another day. Some of this is normal, as everyone was excited to see him back on the mound after missing the 2014 season. And now that excitement is gone.
Of course, some of it is due to the fact that Jacob deGrom, Jon Niese and Noah Syndergaard are pitching great the past two-to-three months, too. It’s a good problem to have. But next time Harvey goes out and throws seven shutout innings, gives up just two hits and doesn’t walk a batter, like he did in his last game, perhaps we should be a little more pumped.
DUDA GOES WILD – In his last 13 games, Lucas Duda has a 1.000 SLG mark, one made possible by ripping nine homers in an eight-game span. No one in Mets history had ever had an eight-game streak like that. Back in his magical, unfortunately truncated season of 1976, Dave Kingman clubbed seven homers in seven days.
Interestingly, all nine of those homers for Duda came in Citi Field, where he has been an absolute beast this year. Duda has a .296/.401/.663 line at home for a 1.064 OPS. On the road, he’s on the Interstate with a .199 AVG and a .589 OPS. Duda’s road OPS is the lowest for any player in MLB with at least 300 PA and a .700 OPS overall.
GRANDERSON IN THE SHADOWS – Overlooked due to the massive power output by Duda is that Curtis Granderson is on a nice role here lately, too. In his last 10 games, Granderson has a .357/.426/.667 line for a 1.092 OPS. Still, overlooked is better than what was happening to Granderson earlier this year, when he was being extremely productive and people were complaining about his output. Overall, he has a .797 OPS this year, not far from his 2012 season when he hit 43 HR and had an .811 OPS.
CASHING IN ON RULE 5 – Quick – name a successful Rule 5 pick for the Mets. And no, Pedro Beato and Brad Emaus don’t count. Congratulations if you said Sean Gilmartin, who has been a nice pickup for the Mets this season. In his last 18 games, Gilmartin has a 1.50 ER, a 1.111 WHIP and he has a 10.0 K/9. Overall he has a 2.20 ERA and a 1.194 WHIP in 32.2 IP. A starter in the minors, Gilmartin has pitched an inning or more in 18 of his 35 appearances, no easy feat for a lefty in the Mets’ bullpen these days.
ROOKIE HOLDS HIS OWN – Many were concerned that when the Mets called up top prospect Michael Conforto that they were being too aggressive with their 2014 first-round pick. But Conforto has not looked out of place and he’s been productive despite a low batting average. He’s got a .767 OPS despite a .234 AVG. Conforto doesn’t look overwhelmed by facing MLB pitching. The only thing we wish could be different is his outfield play. There have been a few near misses and one actual collision with teammates in the field chasing flies. Someone teach him “Yo la tengo!”
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN – The Mets traded away a lot of depth to bolster the 2015 team. We’re all happy for this long overdue move. Perhaps the best player they gave up was Michael Fulmer, who posted a 6-2 mark with a 1.88 ERA for Double-A Binghamton before going to Detroit in the Yoenis Cespedes deal. Fulmer made his first start in the Tigers organization and picked up right where he left off. Remaining in the Eastern League, Fulmer threw a two-hitter over 6.2 IP and picked up the win for his new team, the Erie SeaWolves.
If we were voting on team MVP today – my vote goes to Grandy. He’s been the most consistent, most dependable, and yes, most valuable player all season. Always seems to get on when needed, and his OF play has been terrific. We’d be nowhere without Grandy this year.
I would have to say deGrom has the slight edge for me, but offense-wise, you are absolutely correct. Granderson has been extremely good this year, and hasn’t gotten much love for it.
Average up to .260 as well. Very respectable with the .350 OBP. deGrom has been great, but i can’t give a pitcher the MVP award over a position player unless we’re talking Gooden 85 type of dominance. Maybe a closer who can impact every close game, but I don’t think someone who plays every 5 or 6 days can be the most valuable.
Wow,did not realize Duda has been so bad on the road.Last year he had an .861 OPS on the road as against .793 at home.He only hit .227 at home as against .275 on the road.
yeah, when we’re looking for reasons why we’ve been so bad on the road this year, Duda’s performance has to be one of the answers. But 9-6 in last 15 road games so it’s turning around.
This is some starting pitching staff and it is only going to get better with the addition of Matz and Wheeler. Harvey, JDG and Thor are must see in 2015 because they are all capable of throwing a no hitter.
Duda not having to do it all himself now has eased some pressure on him. I wonder if Granderson had been further down in the lineup in June and July if he would not have felt so alone.
Granderson has been so consistant and I love the way he tries to “will” a win by taking the extra base. He has rebounded to a good year and erased doubts. In the current line up he does belongs leading off.
Gilmartin is having a good year while mostly pitching in low leverage situations. On June 19th he blew a save. He is a two way pitcher and the Mets need a 7th inning man. Come on TC, give the kid another chance.
I would keep Conforto up as long as I could so that he could gain from the experience of being in a pennant race. After all, he is our starting left fielder in 2016.
Fulmer is just another reason why Sandy should push hard on extending Cespedes. I he fails it isn’t as damaging because the next rotation opening is 2019.
Nice summary Brian, and “Offense is Fun!”
Speaking of Harvey – I’d like to see how this season for him compares to some other notable TJS returnees. I know he’s demolishing Wainright, but what about some others? What’s the avg season for a pitcher post TJS?
And why does Jose Fernandez look like he didn’t even have surgery?
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Remember Harvey came back on fire. The sotry seems to be one of cyclic ups and downs. Its hard to imagine there wont be bad days for Fernandez.
It hurts to give up Fulmer, but there is honestly no room for him. I wish nothing but the best for the only pitching first round pick for Alderson.
Gilmartin is certainly a very astute Rule5 pick by Alderson. A good unheralded move during the off season. And, to boot, the Rule5 pick we lost, was returned to us.
As for Harvey day Brian, I’m glad it’s over…not because I don’t love Harvey, as I most definitely do. But it means the the Mets have moved on from a team of one to an army of many. Yes the Dark Knight’s arrival every 5 days was as special as we could hope for, but the intervening days were grim. Now we have incredibly special talent on the hill day after day, and their internal competition and inspiration is all any Mets fan could hope for. No one has forgotten Harvey, we all have more than enough love to spread to others.