Manager Terry Collins announced on Thursday morning that Matt Harvey will start Opening Day for the New York Mets when they take on the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on April 2.
“Deservedly so, in my opinion,” Collins told reporters, citing his dominant performance during the second half and postseason run.
Harvey, 27, had a historically strong season coming off Tommy John Surgery, going 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA and 1.019 WHIP over 29 regular season starts and a career-high 225 innings between the regular season and postseason in 2015.
“it’s all about how we start and come out.” said Harvey when he learned of the decision. “I’m happy about the honor and I’m definitely ready for the battle.”
Collins refrained from announcing the rest of the rotation which hinges on whether Jacob deGrom will be available as he expects his first child around that time. Collins may also opt to piggy-back two starters in that second game in Kansas City,
For Harvey, this will be his first Opening Day start and it will be great to see him return to the scene of his Game 5 loss during the 2015 World Series. The Mets’ right-hander is having a very strong Spring, and is already in midseason form, working in the 97-99 mph range in his last outing and unveiling a wicked slider – a pitch he abandoned last season.
