New York Mets‘ ace Jacob deGrom remains sidelined with a stress reaction on his right scapula.
His latest MRI showed marked improvement, but he is still not throwing: his return timeline could extend into late June.
So, with deGrom not in the picture at the moment for the Mets, one would think the team’s pitching staff would be in shambles.
That is absolutely not the case for the division-leading Mets.
Max Scherzer, Tylor Megill, Carlos Carrasco, Chris Bassitt, and even David Peterson have done an amazing job holding down the fort until deGrom comes back.
Star-level numbers were expected from Scherzer, sure, and Bassitt, too.
A Couple Of Surprising Stars
But after last season’s fiasco, Carrasco’s expectations weren’t that high, and Megill has shocked the baseball world with his performance so far.
“Through each of their 1st 5 starts, Tylor Megill, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and Carlos Carrasco all have totaled 28+ IP, 27+ K, 9 BB or fewer, and a 3.30 ERA or less. This is the 1st time the Mets have ever had 4 pitchers do this in each of their 1st 5 starts in a season,” Greg Harvey tweeted.
Through each of their 1st 5 starts, Tylor Megill, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and Carlos Carrasco all have totaled 28+ IP, 27+ K, 9 BB or fewer, and a 3.30 ERA or less.
This is the 1st time the Mets have ever had 4 pitchers do this in each of their 1st 5 starts in a season. pic.twitter.com/ZQ1V46NXbg
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) May 4, 2022
As a unit, the rotation leads MLB in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) with 3.0 before Wednesday’s games.
The unit’s ERA is a rock-solid 2.69, which ranks fourth in baseball.
To achieve those rankings without their best starter on the field speaks volumes about what the Mets have been able to build on the pitching side of things.
Their worst starter, by ERA, has been Carrasco, with a solid 3.30 mark.
As long as these guys keep pitching like this, the Mets will be in very good shape.
They do need deGrom for the postseason, but they can afford to give him all the time he needs to come back stronger than ever.
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