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5 Postseason keys for the New York Mets

By Jason Evans

Sep 26, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; The New York Mets celebrate in the clubhouse after clinching the National League East Championship at Great American Ball Park. The Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-2. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; The New York Mets celebrate in the clubhouse after clinching the National League East Championship at Great American Ball Park. The Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-2. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Young Guns

Make no mistake, the Mets are in the position they are in because of their starting pitching. It’s carried them all year. These power arms are the foundation that the new generation of the Mets were built on. However, these arms are reaching innings that they haven’t necessarily reached before.

We all know the deal with Matt Harvey. We all heard about the innings limits. Well, if Saturday’s clinching game was any indication, those limits are out the window. Harvey looks like he is full speed ahead for the playoffs, but playoff baseball is different than any of these guys have pitched in before.

Jacob deGrom is probably the ace of the staff. He struggled for a bit not too long ago but seemed to get it back together on Sunday. We saw what he did in the All-Star Game, and if he repeats that kind of performance, it’s going to be a long night for NL hitters.

The pitcher that may be pitching the best of anyone is Noah Syndergaard. Two of his three starts this month were seven innings or longer with two runs or less. He’s struck out 37 in 20.2 innings this month.

The guy who will go game four is young lefty Steven Matz. Matz was sidelined with a lat injury and his last start was the first time in any of his six major league starts he gave up more than two runs.

Can these guys handle the pressure of the playoffs? That remains to be seen.

Next: The Skipper

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