For Jacob deGrom, new Mets bullpen same as old Mets bullpen in loss to Phillies

We aren’t right here to make any sweeping generalizations in regards to the 2021 Mets. It’s a brand new chapter in franchise historical past, with a brand new proprietor (Steve Cohen) and a brand new franchise icon signed to a profitable, long-term deal (Francisco Lindor). 

These will not be the identical outdated Mets and we aren’t going to make use of phrases like “Mets’ing” on this column. We’re, although, going to speak a couple of very acquainted downside for the crew from Queens, an issue that’s plagued the king of the Mets’ rotation for a lot too lengthy.

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Jacob deGrom was sensible within the membership’s delayed first sport of the season; COVID points with the Nationals meant the primary collection was not performed as scheduled. deGrom threw six dominant shutout innings, permitting simply three hits and two walks whereas hanging out seven Phillies. He threw 77 pitches, with 11 hitting 100.Zero mph or greater. His quickest pitch of the evening was a ridiculous 102.0, according to StatCast data. 

The Mets led 2-0 when deGrom exited. They misplaced 5-3. 

That’s actually and actually an unimaginable statistic. 

Supervisor Luis Rojas, after the sport, citing that deGrom hadn’t thrown in 10 days, mentioned he pulled his ace after a dialog following his sixth inning of labor. 

“Lengthy season,” deGrom advised reporters after the sport. “Speaking to them, it felt like the best choice.”

Right here’s one other actually mind-boggling set of numbers. 

Rojas introduced in Miguel Rojas for the seventh, and he delivered a scoreless inning. The eighth belonged to Trevor Could, one of many centerpiece additions to the membership’s bullpen this offseason. The veteran right-hander signed a two-year, $15.5 million free-agent deal after posting a 3.18 ERA with 12.Zero strikeouts per 9 innings in 89 aid appearances masking the 2019 and 2020 seasons. 

Could struck out the primary batter he confronted, however allowed two singles and a stroll to load the bases. Rojas went to Aaron Loup, a veteran lefty who had a 2.52 ERA in 24 appearances for the Rays final season, earlier than signing a one-year take care of the Mets this offseason. 

Loup was introduced in to face lefty Bryce Harper, and he promptly plunked Harper. One run in, bases nonetheless loaded. J.T. Realmuto adopted with a single. One other run in, tie sport, bases nonetheless loaded. Identical to that the Mets’ two-run lead had fully disappeared. One other sensible deGrom outing was wasted.

Oh, and it bought worse. It all the time appears to worsen after deGrom exits a gem. Alec Bohm hit a chopper to 3rd baseman Luis Guillorme, who got here house with the throw in an try to get a drive out. Guillorme’s throw was wild. Two extra runs scored, and the Phillies led 4-2 

Right here’s one other avert-your-eyes-Mets-fans stat.

It’s painfully ironic, isn’t it, that the throw that price the Mets the sport was thrown in the identical route as deGrom was throwing strikes all evening?

Oh, after which Didi Gregorius delivered a sacrifice fly that plated one other run and put the Mets forward 5-2. The Mets scored as soon as within the ninth however left two runners on base because the Phillies’ bullpen — rebuilt this offseason after being traditionally dangerous in 2020 — allowed only one run in 5 2/Three innings. 

It is only one sport. It isn’t an indictment on the way forward for a franchise.

However it was a frustratingly acquainted feeling for deGrom and Mets followers.