Noah Syndergaard will show Mets fans what “real rest” is

Noah Syndergaard was supposed to face the New York Mets this weekend after last pitching on Monday against the Boston Red Sox. It was perfect. The stars were aligned. Sunday Night Baseball might actually be worth watching on ESPN—on mute of course.

Then, on Thursday night, it was announced that new Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin would be giving Syndergaard some “extra rest.”

How convenient.

Noah Syndergaard will not pitch against the Mets after all

It’s gravely disappointing that Syndergaard will not face the Mets this weekend. It’s also not much of a surprise. The story felt too perfect to go down like this. The Mets, riding through the 2022 season on a high, would have gone up against Syndergaard and his team right as they try to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic called the 2022 Angels.

Ask Mets fans how they feel about this, and you’ll get a variety of answers. For the most part, it represents a stereotype Syndergaard created for himself over the years.

Syndergaard’s World Series win was about as perfect as it could get for the Mets. He talked a big game. He backed it up. The longhaired rookie was as intimidating as anyone in baseball back in 2015. As time went on, Syndergaard became more of a character than a pitcher. Certainly great at what he does from the mound, he never did seem to fulfill his destiny with the Mets.

The worst part of it all is that Syndergaard was beloved and defended by so many in the fan base only for him to slight the team every chance he could get. In November, he hinted at returning on the qualifying offer for 2022. Instead, he bolted for the Angels the first chance he got. Nobody can blame him for going after a better deal.

But then came the Instagram Story read-round-the-world. Syndergaard denied insulting the Mets’ no-hitter from earlier this season yet he clearly was throwing a jab their way. It sparked a friendly Twitter beef with SNY that ended after plenty of shots fired from both sides.

Perhaps Syndergaard really does need some extra rest this week. Considering the situation and the team he would have faced in lieu of some extra rest, who’s going to give him the benefit of the doubt?

Syndergaard doesn’t owe the Mets fans a thing. That’s not what this is about. This is about a once fierce competitor who has gone from Beverley Hills Cop to Daddy Daycare.