MLB All-Star Game 2013: Mets' Matt Harvey will start for the National League

Tomorrow, fans of all 15 National League teams will know the serene confidence and sense of anticipation of Harvey Day: The Mets' Matt Harvey has been named the National League's starting pitcher for the 2013 All-Star Game. Harvey had his last start skipped on Saturday to give time for a couple of blisters to heal, limit his innings, and put him in position to pitch in the mid-summer classic on Tuesday night in his home ballpark.

Going with Harvey makes sense from a marketing point of view as he has embraced his status as one of baseball's brightest young stars, appearing in the ESPN Body issue, dating a supermodel, and injecting excitement and fun into a big-market franchise. But more importantly, it's the right baseball decision. Harvey leads the NL in strikeouts and strikeout rate, and is in the top five in WHIP, pitcher WAR, ERA, hits per 9 IP, and strikeout-to-walk rate, among other categories. He also threw one of the finest games of the season on May 6 against the White Sox when he pitched nine innings, gave up one (infield) hit, struck out 14, and walked none.