Harvey gets Game 1 start

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Looking for a fast start in the World Series, the hard-throwing New York Mets will hand the ball to Matt Harvey.

They hope to have a healthy Yoenis Cespedes against the Royals, too.

With their opponent now in place, Mets manager Terry Collins announced his rotation Saturday when the team worked out at Citi Field.

Harvey was picked to pitch the opener at Kansas City on Tuesday night, followed by Jacob deGrom in Game 2.

When the best-of-seven series shifts to New York, the National League champions will turn to rookies Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz.

“I do think the depth of our starting pitching gives us a good chance against almost anybody,” general manager Sandy Alderson said.

Collins said the Mets wanted to give deGrom an extra day of rest, and they like going into Kauffman Stadium with their top two starters. They also feel good about Syndergaard pitching at home, where he’s been most successful.

“We thought that’s a good mix,” Collins said, adding Harvey could be available out of the bullpen in a potential Game 7.

No matter which starter is on the mound for the Mets, one thing is certain: He throws hard.

New York delivered 5,752 pitches clocked at 95 mph or better this season, by far the most in the majors, according to STATS. (The Royals were second at 4,315).

That makes for an intriguing matchup against a Kansas City lineup that struck out the fewest times of any team in the regular season and had the highest contact rate in the big leagues.

Royals batters hit a major league-best .300 on heaters 95 mph or faster, STATS said.

“We’re not going to change the way we go about things. We’ve still got to pitch to our strengths and our strength is power,” Collins said.

“I still think we’ll strike some people out because our guys have got good stuff.”

Harvey shut down the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series opener and won both his playoff starts.

Last season’s NL Rookie of the Year, deGrom is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three postseason outings.

Syndergaard, the hardest thrower of the group with a fastball that tops out around 99-100 mph, is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA in three games — including his first career relief appearance.