New York Mets need Matt Harvey to return to form in 2018
The New York Mets must have a return to form by Matt Harvey to make the turnaround they hope to make.
The New York Mets are hoping for a huge turnaround in 2018. Last season was lost due to injuries, especially to the dynamic pitching staff. Under new manager Mickey Callaway, they have taken the first series of the year and have big plans. They have their sights set on the Wild Card at a minimum. They feel the sky is the limit.
We have talked about how the entire pitching staff must be solid in order for this turnaround to take place. As long as they are healthy, we know what Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom are. They are going to lead this staff. As much as the team needs Steven Matz, we also know what he is. He is a very inconsistent pitcher even when he is healthy. Matz has been a bit disappointing and it is a shame. Hard throwing left-handed pitchers are hard to find these days.
However, there is one pitcher that has spent time as a dominant force in this league. He opens his 2018 campaign against Philadelphia on Tuesday night. He no longer uses the nickname “Dark Knight” but they need him to return to that form, at least somewhat. His name, of course, is Matt Harvey.
Harvey came up and took the league by storm, dubbing each of his starts “Matt Harvey Day”. They had an excitement we hadn’t seen since Dwight Gooden. In 2012, he struck out 70 batters in 59.1 innings. The next year he was an All-Star with a 9-5 record and a 2.27 ERA. 2014 saw him miss the entire year with Tommy John surgery. We remember his comeback in 2015, he pitched well, there was the dustup with Scott Boras over the pitch count and he put in that strong performance in what was the final game of the World Series.
After the second surgery Harvey has not been the same. He has been a shell of his former self. Since 2016, Harvey’s record has been 9-17. If Harvey continues on this path the Mets turnaround will not happen. He has to return to form, at least somewhat.
Harvey looked better during spring training but that must carry over into the season. If it doesn’t, the Mets will find themselves hovering around .500 or so.