The New York Mets depend on a miracle to advance to the playoffs in the shortened 2020 MLB season. They can’t lose anymore and other teams in the race would have to lose, which makes it even more complicated.
What they do have, even if it doesn’t represent such an appealing consolation prize to the Mets’ fanbase, is a firm Cy Young candidate. Jacob deGrom has the resume to fight for his third consecutive award, something that only Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson have achieved in the history of the game.
On Monday, deGrom pitched seven innings of two-run ball, striking out 14 hitters and retaking the National League lead in the latter category. He has, to this day, a 2.14 ERA, which is fifth in the NL, and 94 punchouts, tops in the circuit.
“He’s probably the top pitcher in the NL,†Mets third baseman J.D. Davis said to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “We’ve played against a lot of great pitchers, hit against a lot of great pitchers, and it’s been unbelievable to watch Jake.â€
The Mets’ ace has some serious rivals
Let’s examine the foes that the Mets’ ace would have to top in order to finish with his third straight Cy Young:
Trevor Bauer: The Cincinnati Reds ace has a 1.80 ERA, 88 strikeous and a 2.0 fWAR in 65.0 innings. With a sub-2.00s ERA and a chance to eclipse 100 fanned batters, the controversial righty has a good case for the award.
Yu Darvish: The veteran Chicago Cubs’ ace is seventh in ERA with 2.22, but is tied in the NL lead with 2.7 fWAR while fanning 88 hitters, just like Bauer. He has been a big reason behind the Cubs’ amazing season.
Dinelson Lamet: The Mets’ ace has a formidable foe in San Diego’s Lamet. He is the owner of a 2.07 ERA, the fourth-best in the National League, and his 89 strikeouts are second. He also has a 2.3 fWAR in 65 1/3 frames.
Corbin Burnes: Perhaps the biggest surprise in the group, Burnes has been Milwaukee’s ace and just recently started qualifying for the ERA title because he started the year as a reliever. He currently leads the NL in ERA with a tiny 1.77 and has 83 strikeouts. He is a little short in innings (56.0) but has managed to put a great fWAR (2.6.)
DeGrom himself has been the unquestioned New York Mets’ ace once again. He is fifth in ERA, first in strikeouts and is tied for first in fWAR, with 2.7. He is liking his chances.
“I feel like everything is where I want it,†said deGrom. “It’s just a short season — what is that, 11, 12 starts? You’re used to making 30-plus, so I feel like I could keep going and keep improving. But I don’t have that opportunity.â€
“He can do some special things,†Mets manager Luis Rojas said, “that can definitely put him back at the top of that race for sure.”