A review of the latest turn through the Mets starting rotation:
|
Name |
InningsThe |
Hits |
Runs (Earned Runs) |
Strikeouts |
Walks |
ERA (Season) |
WHIP (Season) |
Quality Start? |
|
Matt Harvey (3-6) |
2.2 |
8 |
9(6) |
2 |
2 |
5.77 |
1.66 |
No (9/3) |
|
Steven Matz (3-1) |
7.0 |
3 |
2(2) |
8 |
1 |
2.81 |
1.06 |
Yes (7/6) |
|
Jacob deGrom (3-1) |
5.0 |
5 |
4(4) |
7 |
3 |
3.07 |
1.24 |
No (7/4) |
|
Noah Syndergaard (5-2) |
7.0 |
6 |
1(0) |
11 |
0 |
1.94 |
0.98 |
Yes (9/8) |
|
Bartolo Colon (3-3) |
7.0 | 5 |
1(1) |
2 | 2 |
3.44 |
1.25 |
Yes (8/4)
|
Best Start: Noah Syndergaard became the second Mets starter in the past 35 years to go back to back starts, throwing 7 innings with 10+ strikeouts. The previous Met? Dwight Gooden…who struck out 32 in two starts in September of 1984.
That’s the kind of company Thor is keeping these days, so it was great to see Steven Matz put up similar numbers on Friday night against the Brewers. In fact IMO it was even better because he did allow a first-inning two-run homer, meaning he was knocked down, got back up and went deep.
Worst Start: I’m saddened to keep putting Matt Harvey in this location, but that’s just it. It’s got little to do with velocity, something Bartolo Colon proves every fifth day. Kevin Kernan of the New York Post spoke with Scott Boras last week and will tell you, “his fastball is good…Basically he’s been victimized by a lot of soft line drives the other way.”
I would tell you that it’s similar to a Billy Joel song, but not the one that plays in the 8th inning at Citi Field.
You can’t go the distance with too much resistance.
I know you have doubts but for God’s sake, don’t shut me out.
‘A Matter of Trust’, 1986
Kernan had a second article in the New York Post on Friday, quoting a scout who commented on Harvey’s “distraught’ reaction after a fielding miscue behind him. While it would be great if Harvey reacted like Colon, just kept chewing gum, he responded like a young man not used to failure and wanting to quiet the boo-birds.
Here’s hoping he trusts his stuff against the Nationals and mimics Steven Strasburg, who struggled early in 2015 and has been one of the best starters in baseball since.
Best of the Bullpen: The 2.33 ERA is the best in the league and Jeurys Familia is a perfect 15-for-15 when it comes to saves. He now has 31 consecutive saves in the regular season dating to August 1, 2015, which is tied with Billy Wagner (8/2/06-5/13/07) for the longest streak in team history. It is also the second-longest current streak in the majors.
Next Big Thing: While Harvey’s start is a big one, Steven Matz on Wednesday afternoon has a chance to ensure a winning series regardless of what Harvey does. He’s been the second best starter for over a month and here’s hoping he keeps it up.
