Mets First Half Report Cards: Starting Pitchers

The Mets’ starting pitching core entered the season with lofty expectations, and early in the season, they delivered. However, the staff struggled to a 4.92 ERA during the seven weeks when Max Scherzer was on the IL.

Despite that rough patch and not having Jacob deGrom, the Mets’ starters still own the eighth-best ERA in the majors at 3.71, including a sparkling 1.63 mark since Scherzer returned.

Max Scherzer: A

Max Scherzer was off to a strong start when he sustained an oblique injury during his start on May 17. In three starts since getting activated, Scherzer has been as strong as ever, allowing just three runs with 31 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.

Overall, the 37-year-old has a 2.22 ERA/2.37 FIP (181 ERA+) with a 0.884 WHIP and 90 strikeouts against just 12 walks in 69 innings (11.6 K/9). He’s been worth the record-setting contract the Mets gave him in the offseason.

Chris Bassitt: B

Chris Bassitt has had an up-and-down year. Overall, he has a 7-6 record with a 3.79 ERA/3.83 FIP (106 ERA+), a 1.137 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts in 102 innings (9.2 K/9).

After a strong first six weeks of the season, Bassitt endured a stretch in which he allowed 23 earned runs and seven homers in 26 innings, raising his ERA to 4.48. However, he’s pitched to a 2.41 ERA in his last five starts, allowing just three homers in 33 2/3 innings. Bassitt’s biggest weakness has been the home run ball, as he’s already allowed 14 dingers after surrendering just 15 last year. He’s been able to work deep into games though, pitching at least six innings in 12 of his 17 starts.

Taijuan Walker: A

Outside of one bad start in Philadelphia back in early May, Taijuan Walker has been the most dependable starter in the Mets’ rotation.

He’s pitched to a 2.55 ERA/2.97 FIP (157 ERA+) with 72 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings against just 25 walks. After allowing 26 homers in 159 innings last year, Walker has allowed just four homers this season. He’s allowed three runs or fewer in 12 of his last 13 starts and worked at least six innings in 10 of them. Walker has been getting more strikeouts too as of late, striking out 48 strikeouts in his last 45 innings (9.6 K/9).

The first half of his 2022 mirrored his first half in 2021. The goal for his second half is to not mirror the second half of his 2021.

Carlos Carrasco: B-

Carlos Carrasco is finally healthy after an injury-filled 2021, and he’s looked a little more like the pitcher the Mets thought they were getting last winter.

He has a 10-4 record with a 4.27 ERA/3.51 FIP (94 ERA+) and a 1.333 WHIP with 100 strikeouts in 99 innings. However, Cookie’s numbers are skewed by his outings against the AL West, including two bad outings he had against the Astros, who tagged him for 10 hits and 11 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings.

In total, Carrasco has allowed 21 runs in 21 1/3 innings against the AL West (8.86 ERA), while allowing just 26 runs in 77 2/3 innings against all other opponents (3.02 ERA).

David Peterson: A-

Originally ticketed for the bullpen (or Triple-A) when the season started, David Peterson has stepped up in the face of the many injuries to the rotation.

In 15 appearances (13 starts), Peterson has gone 5-2 with a 3.24 ERA/3.85 FIP (124 ERA+) with 84 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings (10.5 K/9). He’s thrown more inning than Max Scherzer. The former first-rounder has allowed three or fewer runs in 13 of his appearances, including each of his last six starts. The biggest knock on Peterson has been his walks, as he’s issued 33 (4.1 BB/9), but he’s still done far beyond what was expected of him.

Trevor Williams: B+

Trevor Williams has been the team’s swingman. Eight of his 17 appearances have been starts, and he’s been much more effective in relief than starting (1.71 ERA vs. 4.67 ERA). Still, he’s been reliable overall, pitching to a 3.56 ERA/4.12 FIP (113 ERA+) with a 1.186 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings (8.6 K/9).

Williams has struggled with home runs (1.5 HR/9), but his 2.3 BB/9 is the best rate of his career, as his 3.79 K/BB ratio. After his last two appearances, Williams is riding a 10-inning scoreless streak heading into the All-Star break.

Tylor Megill: C

Tylor Megill was a surprise selection to start on Opening Day, and he got off to a rip-roaring start. Through the month of April, Megill had a 1.93 ERA in 28 innings and had allowed just two homers.

However, he got shelled for eight runs in 1 1/3 innings on May 11 and then went on the injured list with biceps tendinitis. After returning from the IL, Megill was charged with six runs in 6 2/3 innings before ending up on the IL again, this time with a shoulder issue. Megill may still be a solid contributor when he returns, but his injuries have left him on the shelf for the majority of the first half.