Move over “Doc” and “The Franchise” there is a new All-Star starter in Queens.
In a decision that everybody expected, Mets ace Matt Harvey will start for the National League All-Stars Tuesday night at Citi Field in the 84th All-Star Game. Detroit right-hander Max Scherzer hurls for the American League squad.
Harvey, 24, is the third Mets pitcher to start an All-Star Game, joining Doc Gooden and Tom Seaver. He is the youngest All-Star Game starter since Gooden was 23 in 1988. Harvey is the first member of a host club to start the All-Star Game since Roger Clemens started the 2004 game for the Astros in Houston.
“It’s a huge honor,” Harvey said of being named the starter and working in front of the same fans who have been fascinated by Harvey’s first 5 ½ months in the big leagues. “Obviously, it’s New York and the fans have been great all season. Hopefully, I can make them proud. It’s a huge honor and I am excited about it.”
Harvey’s last start was Monday in San Francisco and the blister problem on the right index finger is improving. If he doesn’t throw too many pitches in the first inning chances are NL manager Bruce Bochy will send Harvey out for a second frame.
While the winning league gets home field advantage for the World Series — seven of the last nine leagues that have won the All-Star Game have become World Champions — the delicious nuggets within the game are fascinating.
Like Harvey’s 100-mph fastball against defending AL Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, who might be having a better 2013 than last year.
Baseball fans will get to see that matchup in the first inning since Jim Leyland, Cabrera’s manager in Detroit, is batting the best hitter on the planet third.
As for following Gooden and Seaver, Harvey respected the company he is in.
“The support Doc has given me all year has been pretty special,” said Harvey, who is 7-2 with a 2.35 ERA and has fanned 147 in 130 innings. “Those guys are two of the best. The support (Gooden) has given me is amazing. Hopefully, I can make him proud. It’s fun having him on my back and it’s going to be a good experience.”
The Mets are counting on Harvey to start big games for them someday. That’s not going to happen this year but the attention-loving right-hander has more than filled the void created when 20-game winner R.A. Dickey split via free agency for Toronto.
“It adds more drive,” Harvey said of being an All Star starter in his initial All Star Game.”I wanted to do everything I could do to fill in for R.A. Dickey. We knew somebody needed to step in. It was a role I wanted to take and something I took pride in. Getting this opportunity is one step closer and something I am very proud of.
“Obviously, it’s more drive to keep going and hopefully it’s not my last All Star Game.”
As for Scherzer, he is getting lost in the Harvey Hype but not the least bit concerned.
“It means so much, especially since it’s my first All Star Game,” said the 28-year-old Scherzer, who is 13-1 with a 3.19 ERA. In 129 2/3 innings he has struck out 152. “To finally be in this position, this is what you dream for, to be in this game.”