Tonight’s pitching match-up: @MattHarvey33 (0-2, 4.63 ERA) vs. Josh Tomlin: https://t.co/kzNjcyUXOS pic.twitter.com/F0IpTemrtu
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 16, 2016
With the Matt Harvey on the mound, the New York Mets battle in Cleveland, looking to win their third game in a row.
- New York Mets (4-5)
- Cleveland Indians (4-4)
- MLB, 4:10 pm ET, WPIX/STOh
- Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
The New York Mets will set out to extend their second winning streak of the season on Saturday when they battle the Cleveland Indians, in the second of a three-game series.
Though, Saturday’s game isn’t about the Mets and their hopes of returning to a .500 record.
Truly, it’s all about the third start of Matt Harvey’s 2016 season.
Coming in, the Dark Knight has a 4.63 ERA, after dropping his first two games to the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies. It’s the first time in his career Harvey’s started the year with a 0-2 record.
In addition, he enters Saturday’s game in Cleveland having lost three straight decisions dating back to last season. Since entering the league in 2012, he’s never lost four in a row.
Hey, Matty boy, it’d be great if you could keep it that way.
A-OK?
Keep an eye out for how many Indian’s players Harvey strikes out.
He’s failed to exceed three strikeouts in consecutive starts for the first time in his career. Having pitched 11.2 innings, thus far in the season, he’s totaled just five strikeouts. During last year’s regular season, Harvey struck out 188 batters in 189.1 total innings pitched.
Can the Mets count on him to be an Ace, or not?
Live Bats
If last night’s game was any clue, the Mets bats are awake…for now.
Terry Collins maintained (wisely) that he plans on using the same lineup as Friday’s match, which saw the precocious neophyte Michael Conforto bat third in the order for the first time in his young career, with Yoenis Cespedes tailing behind as the cleanup and designated hitter.
Friday, New York pounded out 14 hits by game’s end, trailing their hit totals from their three previous games by just two (16 hits combined in series with the Marlins).
Although, the Mets did go 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, which isn’t sustainable for a squad with championship-expectations.
Right of Way
After Friday’s game, Neil Walker is now 5-for-9, with a home run, against left-handed pitching this season.
Walker, the switch-hitter, has preferred to bat lefty at the plate in the past, but a new approach when swinging with his right has provided solid early results.
He went homer-less against southpaws in 2015.
Fun Facts
On their way to defeating the Tribe, the Mets hit three home runs in the fifth inning of Friday’s game.
The last time the Mets hit three homers in one single inning during a road game was July 16, 2006, courtesy of Cliff Floyd, Carlos Beltran, and a 23-year-old David Wright.
We continue our series vs. Cleveland tonight at 4:10pm. More in this preview: https://t.co/ZyjZI6p2FC pic.twitter.com/EpsVApQJMV
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 16, 2016
Jeurys Familia is not available to close today. Has worked four of he last five days. Addison Reed may not be available either.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) April 16, 2016
Jim Henderson expected to close if Mets have a save situation today.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) April 16, 2016
Tune-in to tonight's game on:
Preview: https://t.co/iCis0pX9H9 pic.twitter.com/QlK8iOVxuh
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 16, 2016
