Harvey Shines in NL All-Star Start, Braves Enter Second Half with Injury Bug

This year’s MLB All-Star game belonged to the American League and for the National League, there weren’t too many bright spots.

From the NL East, the New York Mets (41-50) hosted the game at Citi Field and starting third baseman David Wright served as a All-Star Ambassador. Unfortunately for the player, he was unable to show off his baseball talent (one hit over seven innings) but his teammate, starting pitcher Matt Harvey, shined.

Matt Harvey

As the NL’s All-Star starting pitcher, Harvey had three strikeouts over his two shutout innings on the mound. He received a standing an ovation when his outing ended and for the pitcher, he represented the youngest starting All-Star pitcher since the Mets Dwight Gooden did so at 23, 25 years ago.

Harvey was also the first pitcher from the home team since 2004 when Roger Clemens did so with the Houston Astros.

One blemish for Harvey did come from his pitch that hit New York Yankees Roberto Cano on the inside of his knee in the first inning. Cano trotted to base but eventually left the game. Later his x-rays came out negative.

Harvey said of his first All-Star experience via CBS Sports, “It was so much fun. Just being in the locker room with all the guys, the whole experience — the red carpet, it being in New York and starting — as a kid, I don’t think you could have dreamed of doing something like that. It was a tremendous honor and something I’m very thankful for.”

For Harvey, who is playing in is first full MLB season, it’s been a good one. He has 29 career starts under his belt. This season through the first half, Harvey was ranked No.1 for strikeouts (147), No. 2 in WHIP (0.92), No. 3 in ERA (2.35) and opponent batting average (.196). Three times he has taken a no-hitter to the seventh inning.

The future looks bright for Harvey but for the Mets (41-50), it is a little less sunny. They sit 11 games behind the leading Atlanta Braves (54-51). When they return from the break, they’ll played a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (48-48).

There’s always next year Mets fans, as the team sits at +25000 to win this year’s World Series.

Can the Braves Overcome Their Injuries? 

Justin Upton

Looking ahead to the second half of the season, the Braves will enter with the injury bug. Prior to the break, center fielder B.J. Upton went down with a right adductor strain and brother Justin Upton left the same game with a left calf strain.

The brothers joined their fellow outfielders for injuries: Jordan Schafer (right ankle on 15-day DL) and Evan Gattis (oblique).

Oh yeah, there’s also first baseman Freddie Freeman (thumb) and right fielder Jason Heyward (hamstring) who are also down.

Gattis is expected to return after the break. He’s been on the DL since June 18 and prior to his injury, he had smacked 14 home runs with six of them coming as pinch-hit home runs.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez didn’t seem too concerned about the rash of recent injuries by saying via USA Today, “Everybody goes through injuries. Those that survive them will be there at the end. It’s our turn. Everybody has a turn.”

But injuries aren’t the only problem facing the Braves. Starting pitcher righty Kris Medlen is 6-9 and his previous two starts (both losses) were nothing to write home about. He allowed eleven combined runs over 9.1 innings as his ERA has jumped to 3.64.

Lucky for the Braves, they’ll return from the break and play against two teams under .500. This weekend is a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox (37-55), followed by a four-game series against the Mets. But they are all road games.

The Braves enter the second half of the season at +800 to win this year’s World Series.