New York Mets: Winners and Losers from Opening Week

The New York Mets went 4-1 during their first homestand of the 2018 season. Although the overall on-field results were great, there were winners and losers from their first week of regular season action.

In the first week of the 2018 season, the New York Mets posted a 4-1 record. Matching up against the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, the Met’s outscored opponents 22-13 while breaking a franchise record with 61 strikeouts through the first five games. Though it was an overall successful first week in action, there were both winners and losers.

Winner: Matt Harvey 

Coming into the 2018 season, a lot of questions surrounded Matt Harvey. Will we see “The Dark Knight” or the Matt Harvey who has struggled mightily in recent seasons? In spring training, Harvey seemed to be on the right track and was receiving praise from Mets’ ace Noah Syndergaard. With a team whose potential depends so much on its pitching staff, Harvey turned in a performance that was exactly what he and the team needed.

In his first outing, Harvey gave Mets’ fans signs of The Dark Knight that they have so dearly missed. On Tuesday, Harvey pitched five scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit and one walk with five strikeouts against the Phillies. Harvey seemed to be confident and in control on the mound, appearing to have that aura that he has lacked throughout his struggles.

For the New York Mets to be contenders, they will need top-tier pitching outside of Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom. Matt Harvey has shown in the past that he is capable of pitching to that level, but it’s something we haven’t seen in a long time … until this week. This performance could be what Harvey needs to get his confidence, his mojo, and his dominance back.