Mets think they’ve pinpointed Harvey’s issue

NEW YORK — Matt Harvey took to the Citi Field mound again on Friday afternoon, midway between his latest loss and his next big test, and for the second time in two weeks, asked an empty stadium for answers.

The Mets believe they’ve pinpointed the root of Harvey’s issues — a mechanical flaw that flares up as he pitches deeper into games. Only a few Mets are aware of the specifics of the habit that’s led to Harvey’s 7.56 May ERA. Manager Terry Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen headline an exclusive group that includes Matt Reynolds and Alejandro De Aza, who were summoned to stand in against Harvey and report on his progress.

Collins says Harvey isn’t tipping his pitches but remained tight-lipped beyond that.

“The second time through the order, we’re seeing things he’s doing that are keeping him from having the ability to make the pitches he needs to make,” Collins said. “We’re seeing a velocity drop, and there is a reason for that. We’re seeing a lack of a feel for his breaking ball.”

So it’s clear what is happening, at least to some. What’s also clear is that batters are slashing .241/.292/.373 the first time they face Harvey, .301/.326/.518 the second time. The third time through the order, batters are hitting him at a .509/.563/.764 clip. So if Harvey corrects this mechanical flaw during his next start, slated for Memorial Day against the White Sox, and those trends persist, the Mets may want to investigate his struggles more deeply.

The next step might be to look at his pitch sequencing, …

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