Jacob deGroms‘ season debut went more or less as expected in the eyes of Mets’ fans – a dominant performance, minimal run support, and a no-decision.
After throwing a simulated game this past Sunday in preparation for Opening Day, deGrom took the hill versus the division-rival Atlanta Braves in a battle of the aces, as 22-year-old sensation Mike Soroka started for the opposition.
DeGrom went five innings on 72 pitches, far less than his 85-pitch limit, striking out eight and giving up zero earned runs.
The Mets’ ace started the season with a bang, throwing six straight fastballs, all of which 99 miles per hour or more, directly challenging superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who struck out swinging.
DeGroms’ velocity was consistent throughout the start, as he averaged near 99 miles per hour on his fastball and 93 for his slider.
DeGrom did struggle with his pitch count as he finished his first frame, as he walked Freddie Freeman and retired both Ozzie Albies and Marcell Ozuna after lengthy at-bats.
After one inning, he was already at 20 pitches.
The reigning back-to-back Cy Young winner buckled down for the second though, striking out both Matt Adams and Austin Riley before getting Dansby Swanson to fly out.
DeGrom allowed his only hit of the day in the third, on a soft ground ball off the bat of Acuna.
After picking up two more strikeouts in the fourth, he finished dominantly in the fifth, striking out two more to bring his total to eight.
He got Ender Inciarte to fly out to left field, bringing his first start of the season to a commanding close.
Unfortunately, the Mets had not yet managed to bring a run across, and deGrom was left with a no-decision.
With his five scoreless frames, deGrom added to his scoreless inning streak, making it 28 consecutive without a run scored dating back to last season, which is a career best.
