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New York Mets: Matt Harvey’s Struggles Continue In Loss To Braves

By Kenneth Teape

May 3, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) reacts in the dugout after being removed from the game against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) reacts in the dugout after being removed from the game against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Mets watched Matt Harvey struggle once again on Tuesday, as he wasn’t sharp in a 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

The New York Mets are nowhere near panic time, as they have a record of 16-9. But, there has to be some people questioning, what is wrong with Matt Harvey? One of the three pitchers you could make an argument for being the ace of the Mets staff has looked far from an ace this season.

Harvey looked to be getting things more on track in his last two starts, as he won his first two games of the season. But, Monday night against the Atlanta Braves things unraveled once again as Harvey was not sharp and the Mets would end up losing for the second time in three games since an eight-game winning streak.

Runners were on base against Harvey all night, as the Braves stranded players in scoring position in each of the first three innings of the game. While he did not allow a run until the fifth inning, it was a struggle for Harvey from the get go.

He allowed eight hits and two walks in the game, also uncorking two wild pitches. He also allowed a home run, something that has been similar to a solar eclipse for the Braves this season, who entered the game with only five home runs of the season. The Braves have had such a power outage, the team closest to them in the home run rankings has hit 12 more than them during the season.

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They would get their sixth on Tuesday though, as Mallex Smith hit one into the left field corner that was originally ruled a triple, but overturned upon review. The second and third runs charged to Harvey would come in the sixth inning, as A.J. Pierzynski knocked in Kelly Johnson with a double and then scored on the second wild pitcher from Harvey.

This continued a trouble trend for Harvey, who has struggled once getting into the middle innings of the game. While we have seen Harvey get stronger sometimes as the game goes on, that has not been the case this season. Harvey has wilted in the middle innings, registering an ERA of 6.00 in the fifth inning and 20.25 in the sixth inning. He also has a WHIP of 3.01 in those innings as well.

Those are ugly numbers, as Harvey is supposed to be someone that gets the Mets deep into the game, not someone they have to worry about once he is going through opposing lineups for a second and third time.

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The Mets have to hope that he can figure it out soon, as they will need him on their upcoming West Coast trip, as Harvey is scheduled to pitch against the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies. Coors Field is not a place that a struggling pitcher wants to pitch at, so if Harvey doesn’t get things going at Petco Park against the Padres things could be ugly in about two weeks.

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