The Mets needed a great performance today for any hope of tying the series up. What they received was a deGrominate one. The reigning Rookie of the Year showed just exactly why he won the award, striking out 11 over eight innings, and allowing just one hit all day. Those 11 Ks were the most he’s tossed since that memorable night back in September against the hapless Marlins. It was a breath of fresh air to a weary fan base, and for a rotation which had been demolished the past two nights versus the potent Cardinals lineup. Jacob deGrom was able to keep those same hitters guessing all day though, in what has to be one of the best performances of his young career.
The other star of the day was Lucas Duda, who broke out with two home runs while driving in four of the Mets five runs to become the only Met with an average above .300 on the season. Michael Cuddyer, who has been in desperate need of a good game, also contributed three hits as everything seemed to work the Mets way today. Add in seven walks versus five strikeouts for the entire lineup, and this was a very pleasant afternoon to be a Mets fan, which hasn’t been the case with any consistency this month. The win drew the series even with the Cardinals, who are still the best team in the game. Two sandwich wins around some horrible tasting middle games wasn’t the recipe, but it worked.
The Mets travel to Pittsburgh next to take on the slumping Pirates.
JDG had been struggling against LHB but the four Cardinals lefties went 1-12 against him today.
Just an amazing performance by a pitcher who looks to be a Cy Young Candidate this season. It just goes to show that we have two stoppers on this roster. If the Mets can simply stretch across 2-3 runs a game, this team can basically pitch their way to a ton of wins. They just cannot be shut out every night.
Also, it’s good to see Duda break out like that. If there is anyone who could carry this offense until d’Arnaud and Wright get back: its him. He needs to propel this team for a week or two.