Throughout this season, Matt Harvey has struggled. His velocity is down. He’s having trouble with his mechanics. He’s bad in the fifth inning. He’s horrendous in the sixth inning. He’s yet to pitch into the seventh inning. The Mets now send him out for the rubber game tonight against the Nationals. 

This could be the best thing that has happened to Harvey. 

In his career, Harvey has upped his game when he has faced the Nationals. It’s a good thing too not only because they’re the Mets main obstacle to repeating in the NL East, but also because he’s faced them more than any other team. In his 10 starts against them, he has a 1.77 ERA, a 0.937 WHIP, a 9.6 K/9, and a 7.03 K/BB ratio. The Nationals only hit .197/.249/.259 against him. 

Even better, Harvey is facing off against Stephen Strasburg. The first time that happened was April 19, 2013. In that game, Harvey pitched seven innings allowing four hits, one earned, and three walks while striking out seven. Harvey recorded the win as the Citi Field faithful serenaded Strasburg with “HARVEY’S BETTER!” chants. Last year in Harvey’s first start back from Tommy John, he again bested Strasburg going six innings allowing four hits, no earned, one walk, and nine strikeouts. 

Strasburg has yet to get the better of Harvey.  He’s still done better against Harvey than Bryce Harper has. Harper is 0-20 against Harvey with seven strikeouts. 

Harvey has pitched extremely well against the Nationals in his career.  Maybe, just maybe, going up against the Nationals is exactly what Harvey needs to figure it all out. If he can do that, he just might have the terrific 2016 most assumed he would.