Mets ace Jacob deGrom returns to the mound tonight at Wrigley Field for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Chicago Cubs after taking the first two games of the series in New York.
“I think we have a lot of confidence going into this game,” deGrom said on Monday during his media session. “We matched up well against two great pitchers and we got a chance to take a 3-0 lead tomorrow. The guys are putting up runs for us, and our job is just to keep it close and let them do what they’ve been doing.”
DeGrom was asked if he was concerned about his 6.46 ERA against the Cubs in three career starts against them including two shaky starts this season.
“I haven’t looked back at it too much,” deGrom said. “I know they weren’t very good starts. I’m going to flush that. I know this is the playoffs, so it’s going to be a good start for me.”
“Normally when I look at stuff, I try to look at the good things. When I watch video, I try to watch the good starts so I can see how my mechanics are in those. Every once in a while I’ll look at video starts that I struggled, and sometimes in those there is no mechanical problems, it’s just didn’t have good stuff that day.”
“Hopefully tomorrow I have my best stuff, but if not, I think I’ll be able to keep us in the ballgame.”
After pitching a stellar Game 1 against the Dodgers in the NLDS, deGrom had to battle to get through Game 5. He was asked about that.
“The second game, that one was tough. Didn’t have any fastball command, and I think my curveball was my best pitch. So the second game was definitely a battle. I feel like it was more impressive just because it wasn’t easy. When you have your best stuff, it’s a lot easier to pitch.”
The 2014 Rookie of the Year had an even better performance this season, but hr’s most proud of being in the playoffs and playing in this super-charged environment.
“It’s a lot of fun. That’s what we play for. We play to get this chance, and you never know how many times you’re going to get it. So when you get this chance you want to make the best of it.”
Asked if he’s feeling any fatigue, deGrom said that the adrenaline rush of pitching in the playoffs overcomes any fatigue.
“The adrenaline definitely helps. This is the most I’ve thrown in a year. It’s tough to say if I had this many innings in the regular season how I’d feel. But I think playoff time, the adrenaline definitely kicks in.”
“I think that helps out a lot. It’s easier to stay out there and keep fighting whenever you have that much adrenaline.”
This kid has ice coursing through his veins. Expect total deGromination tonight!
