Happy Harvey Day muchachas, but might Harvey Days be coming to an end?
“We’ve gone start-to-start with Harvey here for the last four or five starts,” manager Brandon Hyde said Tuesday. “I think this is his 28th start of the year. So, anything he’s given us the second half has been a bonus. He’s taken the ball every fifth day. Past couple of years, not pitching much to doing what he’s done this year has been amazing. And so he’ll start tomorrow, and then we’ll reevaluate after that.” (via Baltimore Sun)
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
Now as the world’s foremost Matt Harvey Expert – he’s been better than those numbers look. Sure he’s been audio in some games (say vs. the Mets) but the real thing is that Brandon Hyde never managed to figure out how to manage Harvey.
If you’re an avid Harvey Watcher like me, you can see the meltdowns coming. The Orioles should bring Matt back and hire me to be Harvey Danger Man – I could just let the manger know when it’s time for Matt to get out of dodge.
He tends to be good for three innings – I am not sure a Three Inning Opener is a thing, but maybe in the age of 7 inning baseball it could be.
Anyway, it’s Matt’s 28th start, which is kind of impressive. The announcers also mentioned his ERA has been under 4 in the second half.
Let’s look at the crowd…Harvey Day is not the draw it once was…
The first inning was kind of boring…but a single, a fielder’s choice and a single led to a run. But it was so boring I didn’t even snap a shot of Annoyed Matt. 1-0 Royals.
The second was also kind of boring but we get out first Matt Harvey walks to the dugout shot.
“He’s incredible, honestly,” Orioles ace John Means said. “He’s taught me a lot in how to push through some things. He’s dealing with what’s going on with him right now, and just pushing through it and starting and making a start every five days. It’s incredible to see what he’s doing, going to the bullpen and doing everything right and never coming to the field complaining.
“The man was on top of the world for three years, four years, and completely fell off. And he’ll tell you that. And to have the demeanor that he has still is absolutely incredible — the mental capacity that he has. To have struggled early on in the season and to pitch really, really well this second half, it’s been crazy.” (via Baltimore Sun)
On to the third…the Royals get a lead off single. This is where the Orioles need me. Brandon, get someone up. I know it sounds crazy but get someone up.
The runner steals second…but then we have stupid replay and the runner was off for a nanosecond and baseball is stupid so one out. But then…
It’s a double. And the double is on Matt but then the runner steals third and this Keystone Kops nonsense happened….
and this face says it all.
2-0 Royals after 3. Come on defense, the guy is pitching for his life and he doesn’t boo his own fans. We gotta back The Dark Knight Up at least a little!
In the 4th, a leadoff double..
…that’s the 6 hits and we’ve seen some doubles….but The Dark Knight is not rattled and gets the next three guys out.
This game is really dragging but it is killing time while I run some reports for my gig at Universal Exports. In the 5th it’s another lead off hit and Matt continues to walk the tight-rope. Then another hit and it’s time for a discussion with runners on the corners.
Hopefully that was some good advice…..
That knocks in a run. Then Hyde asks for an intentional walk and that’s it for TDK.
There IS a chance that’s the last we see of Matt Harvey.
I do think the Orioles will roll him out there some more, it’s not like they have other options. (BTW this is the 4th most innings Matt has thrown in his career!) I also think he will get a job in 2022. If nothing else, he will eat innings for you.
4 and a third. 4 runs, three earned. 2 Ks and the one intentional walk.
Enjoy your night Matt. If nothing else, you don’t boo your own fans.
