Can Bryce Harper finally get a hit off Matt Harvey?

We have a heavyweight bout coming up for you: Bryce Harper and Matt Harvey face off Thursday night when the Washington Nationals and New York Mets meet in the MLB Free Game of the Day on Yahoo Sports. 

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Harper vs. Harvey, though, hasn’t exactly been Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed. In fact, it’s been more like Ivan Drago vs. Apollo Creed — with Harper in the Creed role. Harper has faced Harvey 20 times in their careers. The result? He’s 0-for-20. Ouch.

But maybe that changes for these NL East foes in Thursday night’s game, their meeting of 2016. Find out for yourself. You can stream the game for free right here on Yahoo’s Sports Home, MLB index and video home. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET. MLB’s local blackout rules apply. 

In Harper’s 23 career plate appearances against Harvey, all he’s been able to muster is three walks. Harper struck seven times in those 20 at-bats.

Three of them came in one game last April, when the Nats faced Harvey in his first start since Tommy John surgery. After his three-K game, Harper praised the Mets ace:

“He is tough out there. I said it a million times. He is going to win a Cy Young [award] one day. Everybody knows that. It’s one of the toughest at-bats I’ve ever had. He is very tough out there. He is a very good pitcher.”

[Must-see: Minor league pitcher uses catlike reflexes to snare a line drive]

Things haven’t been as sterling for Harvey this season thus far. His velocity is down and he’s carrying a disappointing 4.93 ERA through eight starts. That’s compared to 2.71 last season.

Harvey hasn’t pitched more than six innings in any start this season and his most recent outing wasn’t kind. He gave up 11 hits and five runs at Coors Field. So, the time might be right for Harper to finally get the better of Harvey. Then again, Harper is hitting just .167 over the past week, so it’s not like he’s Bryce En Fuego at the moment.

We know Harper brings out the best in Harvey, though. History tells us that. Now it’s time to see whether they both step it up for their first meeting of 2016 and, if so, which heavyweight lands the biggest punch.

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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz