The tumultuous road for Matt Harvey, from Tommy John surgery to starting Game 1 of the NLCS…
“We started out well before Spring Training with a plan for Matt that he bought in to and it really wasn’t until much later in the season that it became an issue again. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Matt and what he has accomplished this year and him coming back from that surgery and pitching as much as he has and as well as he has and his determination to pitch in the postseason. There was a little tumult along the way, but I think he’s learned a lot from the experience and he’s probably a much better pitcher and person from the result. It wasn’t going to be smooth, that’s not what seasons are about. They’re long and involve ups and downs. I can understand a certain reservation on his part as he got close to what some people thought was a large number. But, he got through that and I think he has confidence in his physical capacity, which is important for his mental approach. I think he’s come through it real well and I’m very proud of what he’s accomplished this season.”
Harvey’s innings, and if he’s under any restrictions…
“It’s a matter of appearance to appearance and how he feels. So, that’s a determination we’ll make after his first start tomorrow. But, certainly, starting in game 1 sets a certain presumption that he’ll pitch more than once in this series, but that’s not a decision we’ve made. We’re comfortable running any number of four guys out there, so it’s not a decision we have to make immediately. … It’s a game-by-game proposition.”
The difference between these Mets and the team that went 0-7 against the Cubs earlier this season…
“In looking at the pitching, our young guys are a little more experience with a little better command and more confidence. … Offensively, it’s a different team. I don’t think that 0-7 registers much concern on the part of our players. We’d like to be 4-10 at the end of this with the Cubs.”
Lucas Duda, who struggled to hit in the NLDS…
“I don’t think where overly concerned about it. Terry may decide to do something different and use somebody else at first base, I don’t know. It’s one of those things and you hope he catches fire.”
Comment
from Metsblog http://ift.tt/1X9O8YN
No comments:
Post a Comment