New York Mets starting pitchers have been impressive this spring. With a few bumps along the way, they’ve come out looking like the strength of the club yet again.
Opening Day is inching closer and statistics are beginning to have a little more meaning. Let’s take a look at the impressive statistics two of the starting pitchers are piling up.
Mets ace Justin Verlander is throwing strikes
Mets fans have been treated to three starts from the club’s newest ace, Justin Verlander. What else would we expect from the reigning American League Cy Young winner? Yes, it’s spring. These games count as much as mailing your RSVP to a wedding without checking off which dinner option you’re choosing. How will they know? Still, for Verlander to get through these first three starts with 16 strikeouts and not a single walk is extreme. He’s throwing strikes and not giving away anything for free.
Six batters did manage to pick up hits against Verlander in his 11.1 innings of work with two runs crossing the plate. He still owns a 0.53 WHIP. The guy is ready for the regular season.
Mets lefty David Peterson is making batters work
David Peterson has had the exact opposite spring. He has walked 8 batters in his 12 innings while striking out 13. It’s not a very good ratio at all. However, he has left us impressed by allowing only one hit in his dozen innings.
The injury to Jose Quintana automatically puts Peterson in the running for a lot more starts alongside Tylor Megill. Each will get a chance to play regularly early on. Cutting down on his walks will be a requirement to stay unless of course he channels his inner Nolan Ryan and continues to hold batters to a .028 batting average. Insane!
None of the starting pitchers are getting consistently shelled this spring which is always a good sign. I feel like if there’s one thing in March that you don’t want to see, it’s that. Batters can figure things out when they get a few more swings in. Sheer dominance on the mound is eventually going to catch up.
Verlander will have less dominant days on the mound for the Mets and Peterson will get pummeled with hits. Like so many years in the past, we at least know the starting pitching staff can help carry this ball club. No spring statistic is needed to prove it.