Mets: Jacob deGrom’s first All-Star appearance domination

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom will have a chance to pitch in the 2018 All-Star Game. If the 2015 performance is any indication, the American League is in for another dominant performance.

In 2015, New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom went to the All-Star Game in Cincinnati hopeful to take the mound. Not everyone gets to participate in this exhibition game of the league’s best players.

Fortunately, deGrom did get a chance to play. He made the most of the opportunity, too.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, deGrom was summed from the bullpen to relieve Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw didn’t fare well in his inning. The two runs he allowed gave the American League a lead they would hold onto for the rest of the night.

deGrom, however, completely shut down the three batters he faced.

With the American League up 3-1, deGrom made his way to the mound to face Stephen Vogt. On three pitches, he struck out the Oakland Athletics catcher swinging.

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The next to face deGrom was Jason Kipnis. The immaculate inning was spoiled with a ball, but the result helped keep deGrom perfect. On a 1-2 count, Kipnis did his best impression of Vogt and struck out swinging.

The theme of deGrom’s inning was set. He was going to do his best to strike out the side.

Alcides Escobar was lifted for a pinch-hitter, Jose Iglesias. Much like his two teammates, Iglesias went down on strikes. He chose the quickest route back to the dugout, doing so on three pitches.

It took deGrom only 10 pitches to get through his inning in the 2015 All-Star Game. Had the National League won, it may have been a bigger highlight. Instead, it was the sandwich inning between Kershaw losing a tie game and Francisco Rodriguez serving up a couple more runs in the seventh inning.

When deGrom pitches in the 2018 All-Star Game, it likely won’t have to wait until the sixth inning to appear. He’s now one of the best pitchers in MLB and a candidate to appear much sooner.

Still, I doubt this helps the American League one bit. They will face an even better version of the Mets ace this time around.

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Let’s see if deGrom can do something even more impressive this time around.