Metstradamus - That's Tylor With A 0

 

Tylor Megill has been an absolute revelation, and he’s getting better with every start.

He threw six shutout innings (and also got his first major league hit off old friend Steven Matz) to set it up for the bullpen, who knocked the Jays down for a 3-0 victory, their second straight shutout. The Blue Jays were Tylor’s biggest test to date, and he passed with flying colors.

I went into this game wanting to take an especially close look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s at bats, as he works his at-bats so well and not only has a great eye at the plate, but has a plan when he gets up there. It’s the reason why he is a legitimate candidate for A.L. MVP (but we all know who is going to win it, right?) So I kept a close eye on him.

First at-bat, runner on first with one out. Megill gets ahead of him 0-2. Then tries to get him to chase a high fastball and Vladdy spits on it. Then there’s a low pitch right at the bottom of the zone that’s borderline, Vladdy spits on that too for a 2-2 count. Megill then goes to the slider and it’s outside for a full count. Then a foul ball, and then the Jays send the runner on the next pitch, which is a fastball that runs inside. Vladdy chases it for strike three, perhaps because the runner was going, but it’s still a good pitch because even though it was inside, it was competitive. It gave the illusion of a strike and that was all Vladdy needed to chase it. George Springer would then pop up to end the inning.

Jul 23, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Tylor Megill (38) reacts after hitting a single in front of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) during the fifth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The next matchup between Megill and Vladdy is leading off the 4th. The Mets have a 2-0 lead after Pete Alonso’s rocket in the first inning. Megill throws a curve low and inside for ball one, then throws a fastball at the top of the zone but doesn’t get the call for 2-0. A changeup in the dirt for ball three, and now Megill has a decision to make. Waste a pitch and don’t let Vladdy take you deep, or throw a competitive pitch and hope for the best. Megill throws what could have easily been a cookie for strike one, but remember that hitters swing at 3-0 now. So Megill threw a ball that had just enough cut on it to jam Vladdy just a little bit, and he flew out to center for the first out of a 1-2-3 inning, instead of a walk which leads to who knows what.

Then in the sixth, immediately after Michael Conforto made an amazing catch for the second out, it’s Megill vs Vladdy again. This wasn’t the epic battle the other two at-bats were, as Vladdy grounded to shortstop on the second pitch, but he once again jammed him with a pitch running inside to induce the grounder. That was Megill’s final bit of action for the night, and it was enough. Those three at-bats encapsulated the key to success for Megill thus far, and hopefully in the future … he trusts his stuff.

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