Mets baseball is back, and in familiar Mets fashion Jacob deGrom shined while the Mets bullpen did not. The Cy Young winner pitched seven strikeouts in six scoreless innings with pitches hitting 100 miles per hour.
Throwing just 77 pitches, deGrom relied heavily on his fastball. Although it wasn’t his strongest outing the pitcher escaped with three hits in his debut. The pitcher was also helped out by some strong defensive plays. In the bottom of the first inning Kevin Pillar and Jeff McNeil threw out Rhys Hoskins as he attempted to stretch out a triple from a near home run.
The Mets ace left the game with a two run lead in his scoreless outing. Prior to the game, Mets manager Luis Rojas said deGrom would get 100 pitches in the outing. After the two-time Cy Young winner’s fastball was pulled from the game, the Phillies took advantage with a rally. After facing criticism Rojas defended his decision saying:
“He hasn’t thrown in 10 days,” Rojas said. “The conversations with him between innings led us to pull him.”
Following Jacob deGrom was Miguel Castro who had a scoreless seventh inning. But their bullpen luck didn’t continue from there. Mets newcomer Trevor May struck out the first batter he faced, but soon found himself in trouble. The right-hander gave up a single, walked Andrew McCutchen, and then the bases loaded with a Rhys Hoskins single. May’s debut was cut there and LHP Aaron Loup entered the game and ultimately hit Bryce Harper with a pitch, giving up a run. JT Realmuto stepped to the plate hitting a grounder to left to tie the game at two.
The inning ended with the Phillies scoring three more runs to cap off their 5-2 rally and ultimately the win.
Trevor May
This Opening Day feels all too familiar for the Mets. Coming into the season with high expectations, if tonight is any evidence their bullpen will be the key to their success. Because of their strong pitching rotation and finally having some bats in the lineup they could offset the bullpen struggles. But as we saw tonight the relief pitchers will be make or break in these close ball games. It’s one game in a season that was already disrupted due to a COVID-19 outbreak that postponed their Opening series. So this could explain part of the struggles, and it is important to note that it is way too early to hit the Mets bullpen panic button after one bad inning.
Other Notes:
Francisco Lindor went 1-for-4 with a walk and a single in his debut for the Mets. He also looked smooth and made plays as a fielder.
Right-Handed pitcher Marcus Stroman takes the mound tomorrow for the Mets against the Phillies Chase Anderson. Stroman elected not to pitch last season due to COVID-19 concerns and hopes to make a strong outing in tomorrows nationally televised game.
