If you take a look at that screenshot from SNY, it pretty much tells you what the difference is between the 2012 Mets and last year’s model. It all boils down to the pitching – and more specifically, the starting pitching.
The Mets starters have far exceeded expectations thus far.
- Johan Santana – 3.09 ERA, 10 IP
- R.A. Dickey – 2.08 ERA, 13 IP
- Jon Niese – 2.13 ERA, 12.2 IP
- Mike Pelfrey – 3.09 ERA, 11.2 IP
- Dillon Gee – 5.06 ERA, 5.1 IP
Santana could have easily been 2-0 instead of 0-1 and the proof is in his .194 BAA to start the season.
Jon Niese has been a revelation so far this season and he is holding opposing hitters to a .156 batting average.
Gee pitches today and is hoping to rebound from a tough start after working on a mechanical flaw.
Dickey is Dickey and keeps pumping out one quality start after another.
Pelfrey finally figured out his underused curveball could be a vital weapon. On that he had this to say to Kevin Kernan of the NY Post after yesterday’s game:
Following a troubled first inning with no fastball command that helped run up his pitch count, Mike Pelfrey found his groove because he used his curveball. The right-hander needs to understand how valuable that pitch can be for him and how it makes his fastball more effective. Terry Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen have tried to convince Pelfrey the curve can be a huge help. “I think it’s my fourth-best pitch,” Pelfrey said. “Do I have confidence in that for me in those big situations? I don’t want to get beat with my fourth best pitch, so that’s my thing on that. But it was good today.’’
Hopefully, we’ll see Pelfrey utilizing the curve as well as the rest of his arsenal more effectively in the weeks to come.
The Mets will go as far as their pitching takes them, so far that’s working out pretty good for them.
