Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Remember that trade the Mets made with Cleveland that brought them star shortstop Francisco Lindor, it turns out there’s another piece in that trade that’s paying huge dividends for the Mets. Right-handed starter Carlos Carrasco went seven innings and struck out 10 on Monday night in the Mets’ 11-5 win over the Padres in San Diego.

Carrasco was magnificent in the game, allowing only two runs on five hits, 10 strikeouts, and zero walks. It was the third time Carrasco had pitched into the seventh inning this season and the seventh time (out of 11 starts) that he had pitched into the sixth inning. The veteran righty pitched into the sixth inning only three times out of 12 starts last season.

Carrasco’s first season with the Mets was littered with injuries and finished with a largely disappointing 6.04 ERA in only 53 innings. The 2022 season is a completely different story for the cancer survivor. Cookie has a 3.52 ERA through 11 starts and is tied for the major league lead with seven wins.

He’s been one of the best pitchers in the National League this season only two NL pitchers have a higher fWAR:

The two big keys for Carrasco have been limiting the long ball and cutting down on walks. He gave up a whopping 12 home runs last season but has allowed only three home runs this season in 64 innings. His 0.42 HR/9 is the second-lowest among NL starters and sixth overall in the majors. He’s also seen his walk rate go from 3.0 BB/9 in 2021 down to an impressive 1.8 BB/9 this season.

With Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer being out for an extended period, the Mets needed a pitcher to step up and Carrasco has done that and more. Not only has he pitched well, but he’s performed like an ace to begin the 2022 season.