Harvey’s return stokes optimism around Mets
Don’t pay attention to spring training statistics.
Repeat: Don’t pay attention to spring training statistics.
Because if you listen closely, Matt Harvey just might be telling you to expect better now that the regular season has begun.
The New York Mets ace is back — as confident and dominating as before he had Tommy John elbow surgery — and he pitches in a game that counts today at Nationals Park for the first time since Aug. 24, 2013.
A Mets opening-day victory from veteran pitcher Bartolo Colon? Nice.
The season debut in Game 2 from 2014 National League rookie of the year, pitcher Jacob deGrom? Interesting.
This is the Mets’ real main event as they launch what they insist is not only a legitimate shot at finishing above .500 for the first time since 2008 but also the opportunity to challenge for a playoff spot for the first time since late-season fades in 2008 and 2007.
Remember when a Stephen Strasburg start would get attention like this?
Well, he’s the opposing starter for a Nationals team the Mets have the temerity to believe they can unseat in the NL East.
It’s not a matter of whether Harvey is back to the form that made him a 2013 All-Star and produced top-five finishes in ERA, hits, walks, strikeouts and home runs per nine innings.
His spring ERA was 1.19. He struck out 21 and walked one in 22 innings.
Harvey back to right?
“There’s always time for that” was his ominous warning as spring training wound down. “I prepared just like a normal season, and my mind-set is like it has been in the past. I’m moving on
full speed, from the surgery. It’s more than a year now, and I’m good to go.”
He has heard the optimism and how it’s connected to his return. Bring it on. “It’s nice to have that,” Harvey says. “There’s playoff talk, and we fully expect to get to that point. To have the thought of being able to pitch in the playoffs is exciting.”
Manager Terry Collins says the team will monitor Harvey’s workload, but don’t expect any of the controversy that surrounded Strasburg’s 2012 innings limit.
“The goal is make sure in September and October, Matt Harvey is still pitching,” Collins says.
And Collins is adamant about the October part, pointing out Harvey’s return is every bit the addition to the Mets rotation as Washington’s offseason signing of Max Scherzer, the $210 million man the Mets beat Monday.
“We’ve been sitting around for four years asking everybody to be patient,” Collins says. “It’s time.”
No pressure, Matt.