newjerseynewsroom.com

BY FRANK VERDE

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

FRANKIE SAYS

The latest “Next Mickey Mantle” made his major league debut Saturday night, but the current best player in baseball stole the show.

The much-heralded Bryce Harper of the Nationals had a double and a sacrifice fly in his first game, as well as making a laser throw from left field. He would have had an assist, too, if catcher Wilson Ramos had been able to hold onto the ball while tagging out the runner.

While Harper was greeted with boos in Los Angeles, courtesy of his reputation for berating opponents, umpires and some teammates in college and the minors, Matt Kemp was showered with chants of M-V-P. The chants came after Kemp spoiled the kid’s debut by hitting a walk-off home run in the 10th inning, giving the Dodgers a 4-3 victory.

For Kemp, it was his major-league leading 11th home run in April. The L.A. slugger also leads everyone with a .442 batting average, and his 24 RBI paces the National League. Previous “Next Mickey Mantle” candidate Josh Hamilton of the Rangers also has 24 RBI, which leads the American League.

Harper, the youngest player in the majors, made it known in spring training that he wanted to head north with the big-league club. The Nationals, however, made it clear then that they intended to proceed cautiously. Harper was assigned to Triple-A Syracuse, and reports later surfaced that the team preferred to give him another full year of seasoning before bringing him to Washington.

What happened to change their minds?

Ryan Zimmerman’s injury, for sure, as well as Harper’s ability to showcase his tremendous talents with a sense of poise uncommon in most 19 year olds. But don’t underestimate the timing of the Nationals’ quick start and the Phillies’ slow start this season. The Nationals sit atop the NL East with a 14-7 record, four games better than the preseason favorite Phillies at 10-11.

Washington senses an opportunity, which brings us to another interesting item about the Nationals.

The team has placed an 160 innings limit on Stephen Strasburg, who is coming off elbow surgery. Strasburg has been fabulous this season, including his no-decision in Saturday’s visit to Los Angeles. He’s 2-0 in his 5 starts, leads the NL with 34 strikeouts while walking only 6 batters, and has an earned run average of just 1.12.

Strasburg’s most important statistic, though, is this: 32 inning pitched, leaving Washington with no more than 128 innings from their ace if the team refuses to budge from its self-imposed limit.

Today, the standings say that the future is now for Strasburg and Harper. What do the Nationals say in late August?

Reprieve for Bobby V: Don’t look now, but the Red Sox have won six straight games. The victories have all come on the road following a five-game losing streak at Fenway Park. Jon Lester outdueled Jake Peavy, beating the White Sox 1-0. Despite the loss, Chicago has to be thrilled with Peavy’s performance. The old bulldog was back in form, even going the distance in the loss.

Home grown: Earlier this week the Mets started a lineup that featured nine home-grown ballplayers. It was the first time since the early ’70s that it had happened. This came after losing, in rapid succession, Mike Pelfrey and Jason Bay to injuries.

This spring the Mets tried – unsuccessfully – to trade Pelfrey, and they would have gladly thrown Bay into any deal as well. So, as bad as it is to lose anyone on a roster that is so thin to begin with, let’s not get too worked up about the injuries to these two. Youngsters in the Mets’ farm system have the rarest of opportunities. Perform and earn a showcase at Citi Field.

Waiting on Andy: The Yankees aren’t rushing Andy Pettitte back to the Bronx, but they’re watching the left-hander’s progress very carefully. Pettitte is scheduled to make a start in Class-A Tampa on Monday. He’ll make another start or two before joining New York.

The Yankees appeared to have a surplus of starting pitchers when Pettitte came out of retirement not long ago, but since then the Yankees’ rotation has been shrinking. An ineffective Freddie Garcia has already been moved to the bullpen, and there’s no help coming from Michael Pineda since he was shut down with a shoulder injury.

AL East still the one: The recent hot streak by Boston means that all five teams in the division are at .500 or better. Contrast that with the NL Central, where St. Louis is the only club playing above .500. … The Twins have lost six straight. At 5-15, Minnesota has the worst record in baseball. … The Rangers are off to a 16-5 start, the best in the majors, and are already a full nine games ahead of the Angels. L.A. of Anaheim called up highly-regarded Mike Trout from the minors on Saturday, searching for a spark. Former Yankee Bobby Abreu was cut to make room for Trout.

Lohse, Lynn the new Carpenter, Wainwright? The world champion Cardinals haven’t flinched since losing Chris Carpenter to injury and while Adam Wainwright struggles in his return from injury. It’s “Next Man Up” for St. Louis. In this case, it’s “Next Two Men Up.” Kyle Lohse and Lance Lynn are each 4-0 and share the league lead in victories. The Cardinals lead the Reds by 4 games in the Central while Wainwright is 0-3 and Carpenter isn’t expected back till June in a best case scenario.

See more of Frank Verde’s sports blogs at frankverde.blogspot.com.