The Mets started their four-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night with lefty Steven Matz on the rubber. In Matz’s first two starts, he posted a 0.87 ERA over ten and one-third innings pitched giving up only one earned run. In that span, he struck out 11 batters and walked four.

Matz, 27, faced the reigning NL East Division Champs and looked to continue his success in his third start of the year. The young left-hander threw six innings of two-run baseball on 102 pitches. Matz notched eight strikeouts and gave up only one walk against the Braves. his ERA now sits at a sparking 1.65 to start the year.

Dating back to September 1 of last year, Matz had not recorded a decision in any of his last eight starts, which is the longest decision-less streak outings by a starting pitcher in Mets history–until Thursday. Matz got his first win of the year in Atlanta.

In the fourth inning, Steve Gelbs spoke about his conversation with Dave Eiland on Matz’s delivery. The coach explained how this year he wanted Steven to focus on his front leg coming up faster in his delivery rather than increasing his arm speed. Eiland elaborated, stating that if he speeds up the leg rise in his wind up, his arm will naturally come around faster. Since implementing this technique, Matz’s changeup has been better than it has in the past. With his increased confidence in this pitch, Steven has thrown his changeup more in his first two starts than he has at any other time.

Ron Darling commented on this report and mentioned that when he played, pitchers focused on their beginning motion and then an “explosion” to the plate. However, more recently you notice that pitchers now are taught to have a smooth continuous motion to the plate.

During Mickey Callaway‘s post-game conference, he made mention of his recent observance to Steven’s at-bats and how he feels it has had a strong effect on Steven’s ability to let out aggression. As fans can tell, Steven is a very animated pitcher on the mound and Callaway has taken notice of Matz’s aggression as a hitter, “When he gets to go out there and swing the bat with aggression or run a ball out with aggression is calms him down a bit… Sometimes you have to be a little tired to let your body relax and do something and I feel like he did that.”

Matz spoke with a confidence in his post-game interview, “I felt good all the way through.” Matz spoke about his changeup and its importance to his repertoire,”I feel really comfortable with it [changeup].”

With Steven’s new approach to his delivery – his shift towards the first base side of the rubber and his success in his past three starts – it looks as though we have a more promising pitcher in Matz than believed going into 2019. It is hard not to get your hopes up after such a great start so far to the season, but consistency is key for Matz this year.