Though getting the start following an 11-day rest period, Harvey will likely only pitch for the first few innings of the game before manager Terry Collins makes a call to the bullpen. It will be a short start, however. “We need to get him out there a little more consistently”.
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The Mets plan on using Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey this weekend against the Yankees, but their focus remains on the final series of the regular season against the Nationals.
“Some of the things we’re trying to do is so that our guys can give us length come playoff time if we get in”, Collins said.
Pitching 171.2 innings this year, less than nine shy of his alleged cap of 180.0, the 26-year-old Harvey and his agent Scott Boras continue to waiver on whether the “Dark Knight” will pitch into the postseason.
Harvey has said he will be ready to pitch in the postseason, though uncertainty remains about any potential limits on his workload. “We play pretty good here”.
Verrett will make the start Monday against the Marlins in what would have been Harvey’s place.
The right-hander could make several spot starts this month as Jacob deGrom and Jon Niese could be skipped.
“He just needs at-bats”, Collins said. I hope he pounds the strikes zone and changes speeds.
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“We’ve talked to Matt enough times and he’s on board with what we’re thinking about doing”, Collins said before the Mets beat the Braves 10-7 in 10 innings. The stuff he did in Colorado. “He will certainly get us deep in the game, that’s what I expect”. “We’re real comfortable starting him”.
