Tony Plate - METS STARTING ROTATION IS STRUGGLING

pictured: Broken Starter

The New York Mets starting pitching staff has been the backbone of the team during the last four years. It is a concern at the current time which is why the Mets record at the moment is 14-14 and they are 5-7 at home. 

The high ERAs of Jacob deGrom 4.85, Noah Syndergaard 6.35 and Zack Wheeler 5.05 are difficult to believe, but it is reality. 

They will come out of it, because their starting rotation is one of the best in the National League. Also, they will be better when the warm weather comes around, because it is easier for pitchers to get loose during the summer months.

The Mets placed Jacob deGrom on the injury list over a week ago as a precautionary measure, because of elbow soreness. He played catch the next two days much to the surprise of some of the media. 

deGrom (2-3) underwent an MRI exam and the result was negative. He then, went out and threw a 30-pitch bullpen session and reported no problems. 

He started last Friday against the defending Central Division Champion Milwaukee Brewers. He walked three and hit two batters over four innings in his first start since April 14. deGrom felt that he was just drifting off of the mound and his arm was not catching up. He struck out seven. He has a 9.69 earned run average in his last three starts. 

deGrom is human and nobody is perfect. Also, two other pitchers that are the aces of their staffs are off to rough starts. Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals is 1-3 with a 4.12 earned run average and Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians is 2-2 with a 5.81 earned run average. I think deGrom will eventually be fine.

Syndergaard’s previous start against the Brewers was rough. He gave up ten hits, a pair of homers, three walks and five earned runs in five innings. He has yielded four earned runs in five of six starts with a 1.47 WHIP and a batting average against of .299 

Noah thinks it is a combination of everything such as soft contact that somehow finds a hole and giving up the long ball so, something is not clicking. He is not pressing the panic button yet and still has confidence in his abilities.

Wheeler did not factor into the decision in Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings while striking out four. 

The Reds tagged him for four runs in the second inning, but he pitched well afterwards and left the game with the score tied 4-4. He also, has a 37:17 K:BB through 35.2 innings. 

The Mets are still only two games out of first place and there is no need for them to panic. It is still early and they have a long season ahead of them and the starters will come around.