Blade Tidwell’s major league debut for NY Mets doesn’t reach lightspeed

Blade Tidwell’s May the 4th start against the St. Louis Cardinals had the kind of buildup that made you expect lightspeed, but instead, New York Mets fans got a stalled Millennium Falcon taking fire mid-escape. There were flashes of the talent that’s made Tidwell a name worth knowing, life on the fastball, and hints of sharpness, but they were buried beneath walks, deep counts, and too many pitches caught in vulnerable spots. The velocity was there, but the command drifted, often missing its mark with stormtrooper precision. For a pitcher with the tools to do damage, Tidwell’s likely hoping this outing stays in a galaxy far, far away.

The NY Mets were hopeful Tidwell’s debut would mark the arrival of another young arm ready to bring balance to the rotation, but the results fell short of expectations.

Making his major league debut, Tidwell lasted just 3.2 innings, giving up nine hits, three walks, and six earned runs on 82 pitches—48 of them for strikes. The fastball touched 98 mph and showed flashes of why it’s such a highly regarded weapon, but the execution never followed. Of the 34 balls he threw, 22 came from the fastball, and when it wasn’t sailing high or fading off the edges, it was grabbing too much of the plate.

The bigger issue came from his slider, which lacked bite and feel at times, accounting for five of the nine hits he allowed. For a pitcher whose arsenal can usually do the talking, this time it just couldn’t find the right language. After the game, Tidwell acknowledged that he needs to execute better while ahead in the count and admitted to losing his command toward the end of his outing. Following the performance, he was optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse, giving the Mets an extra arm in the bullpen while allowing Tidwell to regroup and refine his approach for his next chance.

While this debut wasn’t the smooth takeoff that Tidwell or the Mets hoped for, it’s certainly not the end of the road. Like any young pitcher, he’ll face his challenges, but the potential is there, he needs to refine his approach. A few misfires don’t erase the talent: sometimes, even the best need time to find their stride. For now, Tidwell will regroup, learn from this outing, and return to work on his command, hoping that his next chance will be the one to make a lasting impact.