Wisler’s Other Inner Chipper

I had a bad feeling when I saw that it was Matt Wisler on the bump for the Braves on Tuesday. Though I thought my bad feeling came because the Mets had slaughtered Wisler in the past so he was going to learn from his mistakes and put out a good effort. Except when I looked back, I realized the Mets had never hit Wisler. Wisler’s first ever start was against the Mets and it was brilliant, giving up one run in eight innings. Then gave up two runs each against the Mets in six innings and in seven innings last September with the division all but wrapped up.

Wisler upped the ante last night, giving up one hit in eight innings on Tuesday for Atlanta’s first win against the Mets this season. I have a bad feeling this is going to be a patter with Wisler, who thankfully won’t play against the Mets every day like one Larry Jones did. So there will be less chances for him to chuck daggers into the Mets’ collective hearts. But add a couple of more rotation successes for the Braves and they are going to be a handful very soon as they play in a whole new ballpark turned house of horrors.

Matt Harvey could have been flawless against the Braves and it might not have helped. But he had another outing that started out well, but fizzled out in the fifth and sixth inning. It would remind me of a typical Sid Fernandez start, except at this point I’d rather see Sid dominate for five innings before errors and balks would turn Sid into mental mush. Harvey isn’t dominating at any point. His four innings of shutout ball were a struggle, and in the fifth he gave up a home run to Mallex Smith. Sid Fernandez would at least have the decency to give up home runs to hitters that regularly sent balls smashing through windows. Harvey used to be the same way. Now he’s giving up home runs to guys named Mallex who hit 12 home runs in his four year minor league career. Harvey Days used to be like holidays. Now Harvey Days seem like tax deadlines every five days. Except you only get the sensation of having to do your taxes. There are no refunds coming.

Harvey either turns this around, or we won’t have to worry about getting to Citi Field early for his bobblehead in August, because nobody will want it. So … win/win?

Today’s Hate List

1. Jonathan Papelbon
2. Anthony Rendon
3. NBA Referees
4. NHL League Office
5. Dave Hudgens