Stat Line: 7.2 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 9 SO, 0 BB
Matt Harvey is resembling the Dark Knight of 2013. Using both sides of the plate predominately with his fastball and slider, Harvey was perfect through five innings before Jose Lobaton singled up the middle.
This article explains Harvey’s fastball dominance and an area of improvement for Harvey.
Fastball and Slider Command
Harvey dominated knee high on the outside corner with both his four-seam and two-seam fastball. When Harvey did miss, it was no more than two inches on either side of the outside corner. This works especially well against Washington Nationals hitters for four reasons:
- Some stand far from the plate. See: Ryan Zimmerman
- Most are taller hitters, making it difficult for them to reach low and outside with the barrel of their bat. See: Jayson Werth, Zimmerman, Ian Desmond
- Some are not MLB polished or skilled enough to hit a 96 mph fastball knee high on the outside corner. See: Michael Taylor, Lobaton, Gio Gonzalez
- Harvey owns Bryce Harper. Including last night, Harper is 0-17 career against Harvey.
Additionally, Harvey showed a hard, sharp slider located low in the strike zone, producing a swing and miss rate (whiff rate) of 16.7%. The slider was a strike 14 of the 18 times thrown last night (77.8% strike rate).
Pitching out of the Stretch
Simply, Harvey’s command became erratic when pitching out of the stretch in the sixth and eighth innings. Being erratic doesn’t necessarily equate to more walks. However, it does equate to missing an outside target on the inside corner. Harvey stopped missing by two inches as noted above, and began missing on the opposite sides of the plate or far out of the strike zone vertically.
Although everyone’s excuse Harvey is Tommy John surgery effecting his command, Harvey needs to take more repetitions in his bullpen sessions from the stretch. Remember, the most pivotal pitches in any baseball game are thrown from the stretch.
Looking Forward
Harvey’s next start will come on Wednesday August 5th against the Miami Marlins. So far this season the Marlins are hitting at a .223 batting average against Harvey.
Stat of the Night
To further cement Harvey’s fastball dominance: Harvey’s fastball produced 20 of the 23 outs he recorded, included all nine of his strikeouts.
Thanks to @BrooksBaseball for pitch specific statistics.
Follow Chris Zaccherio on Twitter @ziography for more Mets pitching insight that goes beyond statistics.
