New York Mets fans surprised to see Jacob deGrom struggle
By Joe Noa
The New York Mets and their fan base have to wonder what is going on with Jacob deGrom and his recent poor performances, it’s not what we are accustomed to seeing.
After watching the New York Mets go down in flames against the Milwaukee Brewers by the score of 10-2 in another rain-soaked game in Citi Field, Amazins fans can’t help but be concern about what is going on with Jacob deGrom.
HIs line for the game is four innings pitched, five runs (all earned), five hits, seven strikeouts, and three walks. After posting a 0.00 ERA in his first two starts this season, deGrom has a 9.69 ERA over his next three starts. This is concerning and certainly raises eyebrows of the New York Mets faithful.
It’s difficult to watch that kind of poor performance from a pitcher that was so dominating since the days of Doc Gooden.
I am quick to say that Friday’s game should never have been played. A three-hour rain is enough to consider not pitching deGrom, especially since he is coming off the10-day Injured List. It would have made better sense to play a day-night doubleheader, as is usually the case. Send deGrom home for a few more hours of rest. If necessary manager Mickey Callaway could elect to pitch his ace in the second game.
deGroms effort begs the question if he still had discomfort in his elbow. Even after the Mets made public that JdG’s MRI was clean. Mets recent history with injuries promotes such suspicion.
But deGrom did not fault the long delay, the weather, or being on the IR. The starter said he was not making the pitches. He clearly did not have command. Were his mechanics off? We can only hope that is the case. Mechanics can be straightened out. He can restore his command on the mound again. After all, he did win the Cy Young Award last season, and that was no fluke.
Jacob deGrom knows what it takes to bear down, to have that mental toughness. Last year’s lack of run support proved that. He hasn’t forgotten that. I stated at the start of the season that New York Mets fans should not expect deGrom to repeat what he did in 2018. That was an outlier, not the norm. But he can certainly perform within his abilities to still be the ace of the Mets.
At least we hope so.