Midseason grades for the Mets starting pitchers

NY Mets midseason grade for Taijuan Walker: A

Taijuan Walker was a steady presence for the Mets this season on the mound. Now 7-2 with a 2.55 ERA after 16 starts, he has built up a lot of the confidence we lost in him from his horrible second half in 2021.

But because he was an All-Star last year that seemed to completely collapse in the second half, there is reason to doubt him moving forward. Can he maintain these numbers or are we set up to be disappointed?

Walker deserves the A he gets. There’s a strong case that he should be an All-Star yet again this season. However, with the Mets already having four other representatives and some other pitchers out there performing well, it’s good enough to give him some extra rest and prepare for the final months of the year.

NY Mets midseason grade for David Peterson: B

David Peterson gets a fat B. Why not an A? We need to respect the curve. Giving him an A is stating that he has gone above and beyond any possible expectations. Peterson has been good for the Mets but he could be better.

His first half numbers include a 5-2 record and 3.24 ERA. Splitting them apart from his work as a starter and a reliever, they break down to a 4-2 record and 3.43 ERA when he starts. This leaves him with a 1-0 record and 1.35 ERA in the two times he was summoned from the bullpen.

However you want to spin Peterson’s year, he has stepped up big time for the Mets. More important than any grade he can possibly get, it’s how he has effectively given them big starts for much of the year that has helped earn Peterson even more opportunities with this ball club.