Matt Harvey has the lowest ERA (2.25) among pitchers since 1921, whose first 27 major league appearances were all starts. Mike Mussina is second on that list (2.56 ERA). Harvey also has the best WHIP (0.95) of any pitcher since 1921 through his first 27 career starts. Only four other pitchers had a WHIP under 1.00 in their first 27 starts: Dick Hughes (0.96), Vida Blue (0.97), Orel Hershiser (0.97) and Jim Hardin (0.98).
Matt Harvey has had nine starts this year working 7.0 or more innings and allowing one or fewer runs which is tied with the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw for the most in the majors. Opponents have swung and missed at least 10 times in each of Matt Harvey’s last 20 starts, the longest current such streak for any major league pitcher. His 28.1% missed swing rate is the best in the NL (minimum 10 starts).
Matt Harvey is second in the majors with a 2.00 ERA and leads the NL with 132 strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings (10.12). Harvey leads the majors with a .184 batting average against and a 0.85 WHIP. He is the only pitcher since 1916 with three outings featuring 10 or more strikeouts and no walks among his first 27 career starts and additionally he is the only pitcher with three such outings this season. His three outings ties a franchise record for most such starts in a season. Ties Tom Seaver (1971), Jon Matlack (1974) and R.A. Dickey (2012). Harvey’s five double-digit strikeout outings are the most in the NL this season.
