5 reasons the New York Mets can actually pull off a miracle comeback

3. Noah Syndergaard is ready

The first half of the season was a disaster for Mets ace Noah Syndergaard. He allowed 105 hits in 105.2 innings, yielded 14 home runs in 17 starts and posted a 4.68 ERA. It was by far the worst stretch of pitching in the 27-year-old’s five-year career. The Mets seriously considered trading him, but his trade value would not have been maximized. That, more than anything, likely forced the Mets hand in trying to go for a playoff spot this year and next.

Syndergaard has looked like his old self in the second half. In 11 starts and 69.1 innings he has a 3.12 ERA and has struck out 75 while allowing only 59 hits and five home runs. His command has looked better and his strikeout rate is up. Syndergaard found out the hard way that he won’t always be able to rely on his overwhelming velocity to succeed in the big leagues.

The Mets will be able to squeeze three or four more starts out of Syndergaard this year and he has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his past 11 starts (if that’s not enough to convince you, Jacob deGrom has a 1.91 ERA over his last 12 starts). His only real dud was a nine-run beatdown at the hands of the Cubs at the end of August. That he still has a 3.12 second-half ERA after that performance shows how good he has been since the middle of July.

There are few pitchers who appear more ready to step up down the stretch than Syndergaard. He has the makeup and personality to handle big moments and always seems to find something extra when the Mets need it most. They just can’t afford to waste any of his outings (back to deGrom, the Mets are just 6-6 in those previously mentioned 12 starts).