The reeling New York Mets turn to the struggling Matt Harvey when they attempt to salvage the finale of their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon. Harvey has lost three consecutive starts, the last two of which straddled his awkward team-imposed suspension earlier this month, and both he and his team are in need of an improved effort.
“You just send him out there and you hope he’s getting back to what Matt Harvey is,” Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters. “That’s what I’m looking for – improvement. That’s it.” Collins’ club has lost six straight after falling dropping a 5-4 decision on Tuesday, and opponents are averaging 7.8 runs during the slide. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have won five of their last seven and are 17-8 at home. Brandon Drury has hit safely in 13 straight games at Chase Field and Yasmany Tomas – who homered Tuesday – is a career .366 hitter with six blasts in 11 games against New York.
TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Matt Harvey (2-3, 5.63 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (3-4, 4.17)
After opening the year 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four starts, Harvey has posted a 10.43 ERA during his three-game losing streak, with the last setback coming at Milwaukee on Friday after his return from the suspension. He was reached for five runs on seven hits and five walks in five innings by the Brewers. The 28-year-old, who has allowed seven homers in his last four outings, is 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA in four career starts against Arizona.
Corbin finished April with a 2.29 ERA but has allowed 12 runs in 10 innings this month, although he picked up the win with a six-inning effort against Pittsburgh on Friday. The New York native is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA in five starts at home after going 1-8 with a 5.57 mark at Chase Field last year. Corbin has dropped all three of his career decisions against the Mets and has struggled with Jose Reyes (4-for-8, walk).
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1. The Mets placed SS Asdrubal Cabrera (thumb) on the 10-day disabled list and signed RHP Neil Ramirez.
2. Diamondbacks SS Chris Owings has recorded three straight two-hit performances and is 12-for-30 over his last eight contests.
3. Arizona has won six of the last seven meetings, including four in a row at home.