The last time the Mets led the NL East in September was in 2008. They're trying to make sure the lead doesn't slip away again in 2015.
They also want their ace healthy for the postseason.
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Matt Harvey, who missed all of 2014 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, is at 166 1/3 innings this year following Wednesday night's start against the Phillies. According to ESPN, doctors have advised that the team limit Harvey to 180 innings for the regular season. Harvey, who skipped his scheduled start on Aug. 23 against the Rockies, would likely make just two more starts in September/October under that limit.
The Mets (74-59) hold a 6 1/2-game lead over the Nationals in the NL East. They pounded out 16 hits in a 9-4 win over the Phillies on Wednesday night, with Harvey striking out nine over 6 1/3 innings. According to MLB.com, Harvey spent more than an hour in the trainer's room after the game because he was dehydrated and "feeling a little weak."
TC did not reveal Harvey’s issues with fatigue and hydration. But he said: “He’ll be ready for his next start. That’s what counts."
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) September 3, 2015(TC is Mets manager Terry Collins.)
Following a sweep of the Brewers to begin September in 2008, the Mets went just 10-13 the rest of the way to finish 89-73, three games back of the eventual World Series champion Phillies.
If the Mets are to avoid another late collapse, especially with a nine-game road trip on the horizon, they can't drop upcoming games to NL bottom feeders Miami, Atlanta, Cincinnati and Philadelphia. They also can't let the second-place Nationals, who were the preseason favorites to win the division, take next week's series in Washington.
But the Mets have one of baseball's best rotations, which is why they can afford to have their ace skip a start or two. The September expansion of rosters will also help, as the Mets can rely on talented young pitchers who are coming off the disabled list or up from the minors. The Mets will use one of those pitchers, Steven Matz, as a sixth starter beginning Sunday in Miami.
Even with a six-man rotation, Harvey, who is expected to make his next scheduled start Tuesday in the pivotal series against the Nationals, would be scheduled for four more starts in September.
The object is to get Harvey to October, when the Mets would enter the postseason with perhaps the deepest starting staff in baseball with Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Bartolo Colon, Jonathon Niese and Matz. ESPN.com reported that Syndergaard will also skip at least one start.