Mets villain Bryce Harper has high praise for Jacob deGrom and the boys

Among the events that took place over the All-Star Break, Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper raved about the New York Mets starting rotation.

There’s a lot to like about the All-Star Game. It’s got all the stars playing on one field, flamethrowers facing off against power hitters, lots of laughter, everyone having a blast, and even some incredible specialty uniforms. Another recent addition to the broadcast are the in-game interviews. This year, one included the topic of the New York Mets starting rotation.

Sure it must be odd for a player to wear a microphone and earpiece during a game, but this isn’t any game, it’s the all-star game! It’s meant to be fun! Plus, it gives fans an inside look and an inside scoop on the players mid-game. It’s a really great idea and has worked out well for the MLB so far.

One of the more notable interviews came from Public Enemy Number 1 at Citi Field (Number 1 being Chase Utley), Bryce Harper.

The Washington Nationals right fielder and 2018 Home Run Derby Champion was mic’d up for the top of the 3rd inning, the same inning Dave Roberts put Jacob deGrom on the mound.

“This could be a quick inning with frickin’ Jacob deGrom right here. He’s lights out. The guy is unbelievable.”

Love that quick save with the “frickin'” there, Bryce. Thanks for remembering we’ve got kids watching at home.

All jokes aside, there is no denying that Jacob deGrom has been lights out. There’s no doubt that had this All-Star Game been played in an American League Ballpark, Jacob deGrom would have started for the National League. He’s been sensational, and could be on his way to the first of many Cy Youngs, and the first for a Mets pitcher since R.A. Dickey in 2012.

Bryce wasn’t done.

“Having to face him in the NL East all year long. He’s one of the funnest guys to watch pitch. . . .”

This one has two sides to it. While deGrom is one of the “funnest” pitchers to watch in the league, it’s been difficult to watch him get no run support from his fellow teammates.

The Mets have given deGrom an average of 4 runs per start, and while that number may seem high, it’s not. 4 runs of support actually places deGrom in the low end of the rankings for starters.

There’s also the fact that deGrom is tied for second in no decisions, only 1 behind the league leader Tyler Anderson of the Colorado Rockies. The fact that deGrom gives his all, going deep into games that the bullpen can’t close or the offense can’t get on the scoreboard, doesn’t make those games fun to watch, it makes them excruciating.

“That Mets staff. You look at deGrom, [Noah] Syndergaard, I mean, [Zack] Wheeler was lights out against us the other day. He was 100.”

Zack Wheeler was lights out in his last appearance against the Nationals. Wheeler managed to pitch 7.2 innings, giving up 4 earned runs on 8 hits while striking out 7. The last time Wheeler had a stat line like that he took home an L against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Wheeler has shown flashes of brilliance this season, which has only added to the rumors of his more and more imminent trade. The question is, can Wheeler become consistently 100, or will he top out at 75 down the stretch?

Anyway, Bryce had one more compliment for the Mets squad.

“They’ve got three guys that are just lights out. It’s incredible.”

First off, there’s also Steven Matz, Bryce. So that would be FOUR guys. At this point in the season when everything seems lost and the stakes are low, it’s easy to forget that less 6 months ago we were all drooling over the potential of this rotation.

During Spring Training it felt like any home game would have an Ace, as if we were playing with a loaded deck. Those guys aren’t gone, they just haven’t shown up.

Look, it’s not easy for me to compliment Bryce Harper, but he’s right. IT IS incredible that we have this rotation and while 2018 isn’t going the way we thought it would. We still have an incredible pitching staff that shows up every day looking to prove the doubter wrong.

Next: First half grades for the Mets coaching staff

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As weird as it is to say, they’re looking to prove Bryce Harper right.