The Mets snapped a four-game losing streak behind the strong pitching of Zack Wheeler, as they edged the Braves, 3-0, Saturday night.
Wheeler threw seven strong innings. He came to the plate in the bottom of the sixth in a spot where he would have been pinch hit for earlier in the year. There were two runners on and two outs and perhaps just as importantly, the Braves had two lefties leading off the seventh and Jerry Blevins was warming in the pen.
But Mickey Callaway left Wheeler in to hit. He made the third out but came on to give the club another inning of work, pitching around a leadoff double. He finished the night allowing just four baserunners in seven innings. He struck out nine and earned his fourth straight win. In his last 14 games, Wheeler has a 3.02 ERA with 26 BB and 87 Ks in 89.1 IP. Not trading him based on career value seems like the right call.
The Mets put three runs on the board and while they tallied nine hits, two walks and a HBP, their runs scored on a groundout, an infield single and a sac fly. Jeff McNeil had a four-hit game, including the Mets’ only extra-base hit, but did not either score or drive in a run.
Robert Gsellman got the final four outs, needing just 11 pitches, to pick up his sixth save of the year.
Wheeler was absolutely tremendous tonight throwing strikes, going up in the zone throwing filthy curves and splitters and getting ahead of almost everyone. Wheeler’s battle with Markakis later in the game showed how much Zack has grown as he kept going hard after him instead of nibbling and walking him as he has in the past. Wheeler dominated two future many time all-stars in Acuna and Albies and his stuff has never looked better. Zack has become a star in front of our eyes the last few months by pitching backwards and using his fastball less than ever. Believe it or not Zack’s start tonight drew the highest game score by a Mets pitcher this year.
The very well rested Jeff McNeil had a tremendous all around game with four hits and some good defensive plays. Nice game for Conforto and Jackson too.
Credit where it’s due nice to see Mickey stay with Wheeler and give Wahl a shot in a high leverage spot.
It’s up for debate if Wheeler is throwing his fastball fewer times here in 2018.
Texas Leaguers shows him throwing his 4-seamer 47.2% of the time here in 2018, compared to 37.6% of the time in 2017. The difference is even bigger at Brooks Baseball, which has 4-seam usage up to 57.85% this year compared to 37.22% in 2017. It’s a classification thing – how are the different systems determining 4-seamer, 2-seamer, sinker and splitter?
Most systems agree that the splitter is a new pitch. But Brooks has it at 4.6%, Texas Leaguers has it at 9.6% and FanGraphs has it at 7.9%
Here are the combined other pitches – curve, slider, change for the 3 systems in 2017 and 2018:
Brooks – 38.32, 37.55
TL – 36.3, 32.3
FG – 38.2, 34.4
A lot of confusion or mixed messages going around.
The Run Wheeler is on is driven by better stuff, better execution, and better approach.
This is not a pitcher on a hot and lucky streak with the same old same old. The Eye Tests are better…the Radar Gun is Better…all of the metrics are better. Less Walks. Less Pitches.
He’s easily a 1a, 2a with sustained Health. I’m sold.
control my enthusiasm—he’s not yet a 1a