Matt Harvey’s very un-Dark Knight-like start has Mets’ fans concerned — but he’s not the only elite pitcher struggling so far this year. Of the 117 pitchers who have thrown at least 15 innings this year, 31 have ERAs above 5.00. Of that 31, five are former Cy Young Award winners and three others have finished in the top-five in the vote within the last three years.
Here they are:
- Zack Greinke, 1-2, 5.25 ERA
- Matt Harvey, 0-3, 5.71 ERA
- R.A. Dickey, 1-2, 6.10 ERA
- Corey Kluber, 0-3, 6.16 ERA
- David Price, 2-0, 7.06 ERA
- Justin Verlander, 1-2, 7.16 ERA
- Chris Archer, 0-4, 7.32 ERA
- Adam Wainwright, 0-2, 8.27 ERA
There may be various reasons for this — Ron Darling has wondered if Harvey pitched enough in spring training to get himself ready to start the season, while pitching coach Dan Warthen says there is a mechanical issue when he pitches from the stretch. I am sure that similar observations being made in Phoenix, Cleveland, Boston, Detroit, etc.
Whatever the reasons, there are a lot of starters not living up to their billing as we move toward the end of April.
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Hank Kalet 