A big part of the New York Mets‘ 2022 season will rest on Jacob deGrom‘s right arm and in Francisco Lindor‘s bat.
That should not be a secret for anybody, especially considering what happened last year.
The Mets entered July leading the NL East, but that month saw both deGrom and Lindor go down with injuries: the shortstop returned in late August (more than a month later), and the pitcher never came back.
Without their two best player, the Mets fully collapsed after the break and finished third in the East.
Now, it’s a new opportunity for both for a fresh start.
Both are currently healthy and already taking part in scrimmages and simulated games in the Mets’ training camp in Port St. Lucie.
On Thursday morning, deGrom faced Lindor in an at-bat.
The result?
A three-pitch strikeout for the two-time Cy Young award winner.
Jake strikes out Francisco Lindor on three pitches in the first at-bat of his live BP session. pic.twitter.com/zOxMMcOjEs
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2022
deGrom’s Health Is The Key For The Mets’ Success
deGrom’s right arm seems to be in pretty good shape at the moment, as he had several months to rehab a “partially torn” elbow ligament.
If he can pitch anywhere close to the form he had in 2021, the Mets will be more than happy.
Last season, he was on his way to a historical season: in 92 innings, he had a 1.08 ERA with a 45.1 percent strikeout rate.
Those are video-game numbers for a video-game pitcher.
Lindor, meanwhile, did have his fair share of struggles at the plate last year.
He slashed .230/.322/.412 with 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases, which is not his usual output.
He had a brutal first two months in a new city and environment, then looked like his old self.
If those two players are healthy and effective, the Mets will be in good shape.
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