New York Mets: Matt Harvey pitching his way out of the rotation

At this rate the New York Mets may have to remove Matt  Harvey from the starting rotation.

Sitting at 12-2 the New York Mets have a lot to be happy about. Fans, how often has the team clicked on all cylinders this consistently? It truly is amazing. The Mets are the talk of the league sporting MLB’s best record. Mickey Callaway, for the most part, has pushed all of the correct buttons in his rookie managerial campaign. It is early but it has been fun.

There is one exception as far as the pitching staff goes. He once was known as the “Dark Knight”, but now the Mets performances become a bit dark when he takes the hill. He simply hasn’t been the guy he once was. Of course, I am talking about none other than Matt Harvey.

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The basic numbers have not been good. So far, Harvey started out with an 0-1 record and a 4.80 ERA. He has allowed more hits than innings pitched (18 hits in 15 innings). The batting average against Matt Harvey has been .290. When opponents are putting the bat on the ball they are getting hits. On balls put in play, the average against Harvey is .326.

Things started out as if Harvey was going to turn things around when he pitched five shutout innings in his first start. Over the last two, however, he has given up four runs in each, only lasting five innings.

The key for hitters has been laying off Harvey’s first pitch. Batters that swing on the first pitch are batting .235 while batters that take the first pitch are batting .311 against him.

These aren’t the numbers of a guy who should be in the middle of this rotation. So, if they were to take him out, what do they do?

Next: Gonzalez has been go so far

If we look at the numbers, Harvey isn’t a great candidate for the bullpen. This season, he has posted a 6.00 ERA in the first inning and a 9.00 ERA in the second. Right now, that doesn’t translate into an effective relief pitcher. The reliever needs to be effective immediately upon entering the game and Harvey hasn’t been.

It might work to simply skip a couple of starts and get his head back on straight. What a shame, coming from what Matt Harvey once was.