Matt Harvey was electric this afternoon at a sold-out Tradition Field where he stymied the New York Yankees with 5 2/3 innings of two-hit shutout baseball.
And then Terry Collins announced that Harvey WILL NOT start the home opener… What?!?!
I mean I get it. They used Harvey to sell out that first game so why not let him sell out another day? Right, Jeff?
Looks like Harvey will pitch the second game at Citi Field instead, while deGrom starts the opener from what reporters are saying…
Matt Harvey Ready To Carry Team If He Has To
If you think that the loss of Zack Wheeler drastically changes the fortunes of the Mets in 2015, you better stand clear of Mets ace Matt Harvey.
Some fans took issue with me when I called Harvey the true face of the Mets franchise in January, maybe this will change your mind.
Refusing to let yesterday’s somber news bring him or his teammates down, the outspoken Harvey laid down a gauntlet and even further than that, he said he’s prepared to carry the team and the rotation if that’s what he has to do.
“We absolutely have the same goals as a team and as a staff that we did before Zack got hurt,” Harvey told The Post on Tuesday. “Nothing has changed.”
Harvey channeled his inner Keith Hernandez, Mark Messier, and Joe Namath, urging his team to step up and rise to the challenge.
“It’s tough for us to have such high expectations for the year and have something like this happen. But you can’t let it affect you. If you do, then you’re already down, you’re already lost.”
“As a staff, we have to pick up where we left off and take charge.”
When asked if he was attempting to institute a culture change with the team, Harvey says he’s only doing what he knows.
“I just go about things the way that I do and the way that I know how. That’s what I’ve always done. I kind of took over and took charge at North Carolina when I was a junior and had the whole staff on my shoulders there. So now it comes pretty natural. It’s something I enjoy. I’m ready to do the same thing here.”
Harvey has become one of the most vocal leaders on the team and he has fueled what’s become a team exuding confidence that hasn’t been seen in nearly a decade and he doesn’t shy away from his new position of authority and leadership.
“I do everything I can to win and lead by example on the field. That’s important to me. I never asked for it, but it’s come and it’s a great honor. It’s something I take great pride in. We can’t let this be something that ends our season.”
