MLB

No bull: Mets ace Harvey deserves All-Star start at Citi

FIST & CUFFED: Matt Harvey’s pumped-up seven innings are for naught when Brandon Lyon walks off the mound after allowing the tying runs in the Mets’ 6-4 loss to the Nationals last night at Citi Field. (AP; Getty Images)

The first pitch of the All-Star Game will be thrown in 17 days. Matt Harvey should throw that pitch. The dominating Mets right-hander deserves to start the Citi Field All-Star Game, despite what happens after he leaves the game.

That decision ultimately rests with Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who said yesterday he is “really impressed’’ by Harvey.

“He’s on my radar, he’s done a great job this year for the Mets,” Bochy told The Post from Colorado. “There are some really good candidates.”

Bochy will be more impressed when he sees the highlights of Harvey’s incredible 11-strikeout, one-run performance last night in the Mets’ despicable 6-4 loss to the Nationals at Citi Field. Harvey left after seven innings and 109 pitches with a 4-1 lead.

The Mets bullpen blew it as manager Terry Collins’ decisions backfired.

Harvey’s record remained at 7-1. His ERA dropped to 2.00. His 11 strikeouts came on everything from an 85-mph back-door changeup to 98-mph heat. He was untouchable. His 0.85 WHIP is the best in the majors for a starting pitcher, and he leads the league with 132 strikeouts.

Among other candidates to start for the NL, Arizona’s Patrick Corbin is 9-0 with a 2.22 ERA, Washington’s Jordan Zimmerman is 11-3 with a 2.28 ERA, and Los Angeles’ Clayton Kershaw is 6-5 with a 2.08 ERA.

Who knows what their records would be if they pitched for the Mets?

Let’s not forget the All-Star Game is entertainment, especially for the hometown fans. Let them cheer on Harvey with that first pitch.

Bochy said he will make his decision on his starter on the Sunday before the All-Star Game.

“We’ll sit down and talk about it,’’ he said.

When I mentioned he might not want to get on the bad side of Mets fans, Bochy, who once caught for the team, said none of that mattered: “They booed me as a player.’’

A lot depends on pitching availability as well. As it stands now, Harvey is on target to pitch July 14, the last game before the All-Star break.

“That is subject to change,” Collins said.

If the Mets feel Harvey will be the All-Star Game starter, the club will pave the way for that to happen.

“Matt could easily have four more wins,’’ Collins said before the game.

Make that five. Collins went to his brutal bullpen, which gave away the three-run lead in the eighth, earning lusty boos from the 28,363 fans.

In this protective pitch-count world, 109 pitches was enough. Harvey did not go out for the eighth.

“I felt good, but that was his decision,’’ Harvey said, knowing the Mets and Collins are looking at the big picture.

When Collins was asked what it would mean for Harvey to start the All-Star Game at Citi Field, he answered, “To have a kid three years out of the draft, and in my opinion is one of the top pitchers in all of baseball, that’s a pretty big honor. I think Matt Harvey is going to start a few All-Star Games. This one because it’s going to be here at Citi Field would be huge for him. But I certainly understand if Bruce picks someone else.’’

Harvey allowed three hits and did not walk a batter. The run he gave up was a home run to Ian Desmond in the fifth. What should have been a tremendous victory turned into another terrible night as Josh Edgin and Brandon Lyon gave up the lead.

Harvey’s hard-throwing complement Zack Wheeler makes his Citi Field debut tomorrow.

“It’s going to be a big game, I’m going to be here a lot of years to come, so hopefully I can go out there and do well,’’ Wheeler said. As for watching Harvey, he noted: “He’s a power pitcher, and I like to think that I am, too.’’

Wheeler must learn to deal with teammates’ failures, too.

“It’s baseball, that’s what happens,’’ Harvey said.

That’s what happens in Mets baseball.

Wheeler starts tomorrow. Harvey should start the All-Star Game. He deserves it, despite what happens after he leaves the game.