MLB Power Rankings: Which pitching rotation is the best in baseball?
By Phil Akre
11. New York Mets
Ah, the New York Mets. What a bunch. There may be a lot of dysfunction surrounding the team, but one thing is certain; its got some studs on the mound.
Jacob DeGrom has been absolutely dominant this season. He’ll be in the discussion for the NL Cy Young award with numbers like this:
- 1.52 ERA
- 11.7 K/9
- 0.4 HR/9
- 3.4 WAR
He finished last season eighth in Cy Young voting, and he looks pretty determined to finish a lot higher than that this year.
Steven Matz has been great in the wake of Noah Syndergaard’s absence. In his last five starts, he’s allowed six earned runs total and struck out 15 batters.
On the flipside, Jason Vargas has been obliterated this season. I won’t dive too far into it, so just take a look at his numbers:
- 8.53 ERA
- -0.7 WAR
- 1.855 WHIP
Aside from two outings where he allowed a combined 14 runs, Zach Wheeler has been solid. He’s K’d 53 batters in 50 innings and allowed three earned runs or less in five outings. Oddly enough, his splits against both righties and lefties are nearly dead even. Both hit right around .270 off him.
Syndergaard was dealing before he hit the disabled list with a strained ligament in his right index finger. The imposing righty struck out 76 in 64.2 innings while allowing just five home runs in that same time.
Thor has dominated right-handed hitters, too, as they are hitting just .228 against him.