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The New York Mets get to forget about their second free fall for one night and turn their focus to the debut of of pitcher Matt Harvey on Thursday night. The 23-year-old Connecticut native gets the call from Triple-A Buffalo and will open up a four game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Right now Terry Collins and his crew could use a shot in the arm. After impressing with a solid first half, the Mets have gone a disastrous 1-11 since the break, fallen all but out of the playoff chase and now find themselves staring at an 11 game road trip that will take them from Arizona to San Francisco and finally San Diego.
Harvey comes to New York after spending all season with the Bisons where he earned a record of 7-5 with a 3.68 ERA. In 110 innings, the righty struck out 112.
While the Mets now find themselves 11.5 games out in the NL East and seven back of the second Wild Card berth, the Diamondbacks are six back in the NL West and just ahead of New York in the Wild Card race at five games back.
Taking the ball opposite the Mets top prospect will be Wade Miley (11-5, 3.02). The Arizona starter has won back-to-back games, including Saturday when he tossed seven innings of one run ball against the Houston Astros.
You can watch Harvey's MLB debut locally on SNY or listen on WFAN 660 with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 p.m.