New York Mets: Jacob deGrom’s 2018 start compares with franchise’s best

Jacob  deGrom’s start for the New York Mets has been historically good. See how it compares to great starts in franchise history.

The New York Mets have been tough to watch. There are too many reasons to discuss in one post, they have been just bad. Mickey Callaway‘s rookie season as the manager started out like gangbusters but has gone down the toilet. They are falling more and more into oblivion by the day. Another year down the tubes in Queens.

Jacob deGrom has been a major exception. We have all seen it, he has been Cy Young award worthy. He would have double-digit wins if it weren’t for his offense and/or bullpen failing him time and time again. Tonight in Miami he is going for his ninth consecutive quality start. He’s the one pitcher worth tuning into on an every start basis.

How good has his start really been? It’s been obviously one of the top starts in the league in 2018, but what about looking back? Has his start compared well to great starts in franchise history? The Mets have had a history of great pitching. Some of the greats have come through Queens. How has deGrom’s start compared to those of the past? Let’s see.

After 16 starts, deGrom has a record of 5-3 with a 1.69 ERA. He has struck out 126 batters while walking only 27. Let’s go back 33 years for our first comparison.

Before he fell to his drug addiction, Dwight Gooden put in the legendary season of 1985. That year, he went 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA, winning the Cy Young. He struck out 268 while walking only 69. Let’s see where he was after 16 starts:

• 11-3, 1.68 ERA, 131 Ks, 34 BBs

Yes the record is better for Gooden. But look at the two rosters. It’s not even close. The records would likely be closer if deGrom played with that team. The Ks and BBs are very close. Gooden won a Cy Young.

Let’s go back a bit further and look at another Cy Young award winner. One of Tom Seaver‘s Cy Young awards was won in the wonderful year that was 1969. He went 25-7 with a 2.21 ERA. How was he after 16 starts?

• 10-3, 2.65 ERA, 87 Ks, 36 BBs

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His numbers are actually better than Seaver’s from 1969. Again, that team was a better team which explains much about the record. A talented roster would bring deGrom’s win total into the stratosphere. This is an elite start by deGrom, one that will go down in team history. It will be interesting to see if he can keep it going.