Atlanta Braves Send Former Met’s Ace to Bullpen Duty
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves knocked around former Met’s ace Matt Harvey this weekend hanging six runs on the right-hander. The Braves’ onslaught sent the former Met’s ace to the bullpen.
Matt Harvey is headed to the Met bullpen after the Atlanta Braves dismantled the starter to kick off the long weekend series. Harvey gave up eight hits and six runs and looked to be a shell of the pitcher he used to be.
Matt Harvey well might be the most over-rated starting pitcher in baseball. His struggles over the last three years show the pitcher he is now. The ace that was exciting and terrorized the Braves is gone.
Harvey’s struggles against the Braves provide an illustration of the hot Braves’ offense as much as it does of Harvey’s demotion.
Matt Harvey was once thought to be the ace of the Met’s young injury prone rotation. In 2015 he put together a 13-8 record with a 2.71 ERA establishing himself as an ace. Injury then hit Harvey and he is yet to fully recover and likely never will at this point in his career.
The Braves offensive onslaught was impressive for an offense that could be getting even better. Tyler Flowers is rehabbing and will soon return from injury. He has been the Braves best offensive catcher hitting .270 and .281 the last two seasons with the Braves.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is sure to make his debut at some point this summer as well. His call-up should infuse even more youthful energy into the already youth-filled roster.
Acuna is being held off for now by Preston Tucker, and his own slow start in Triple-A. A slow start he will shake off soon enough to join the Braves’ roster.
Another name that has been added to the mix is Jose Bautista. Bautista was recently signed to a minor league deal and is in extended Spring Training attempting to play third base. A decision on whether he will earn a roster spot will be made quickly.
He has already hit one homer in extended Spring Training and shown he still has plenty of power. He brings a punch the Braves lack in their lineup or from the bench. Barring horrible defensive struggles Bautista should soon join the Braves lineup.
A lineup that ranks first in the NL with 111 runs scored and third in all of baseball. The Braves will wrap up the series with the Mets this afternoon as they look to pull within a game of leading the National League East.