With Tuesday night’s dramatic come from behind win the Mets increased their divisional lead over the Nationals to 6 games. Tonight, Jacob deGrom has the opportunity to solidify his position as ace of the pitching staff with his team in prime position to bury the Nats even further in the NL East standings.
deGrom had been in the discussion for the National League Cy Young Award throughout the season, but a recent slump has all but buried his chances at the honor. Over his past three starts the right hander has allowed 12 earned runs over 14.2 innings. After a streak where the Mets won eight straight games in which he started, deGrom’s previous two outings have ended in defeat, Wednesday would certainly be an opportune time for the second year starter to return to his winning ways. In 4 starts against Washington this year deGrom is 1-2 with a 3.51 ERA. Coincidently, three of these starts have ended after exactly 6 innings pitched and two earned runs allowed.
On the season, deGrom has a 12-7 record with a 2.40 ERA and 175 Ks in 169 innings, perhaps most impressive is the All-Star’s 0.96 WHIP. 2015 has been a very successful year for the sophomore starter, but in a pennant race individual statistics lose their meaning, the importance of team wins becomes paramount.
A win with their ‘ace’ on the mound Wednesday would lower the Mets’ magic number to 17 with 23 games to play. The team’s first playoff berth in nearly a decade would certainly seem to be in reach at that point.
Opposite deGrom, Stephen Strasburg will be making his first start in 10 games for the Nationals after his last start was skipped due to a sore back. The former 2009 first overall pick is 8-6 on the year (1-1 against the Mets) with a 4.35 ERA in 18 starts.
deGrom and the Mets will be looking for their second straight sweep of the Nationals, first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM tonight.
