Throughout this past offseason, the Mets had been scouring the market for someone who can come in and get the big lefties out. On March 30th, they traded outfield prospect Matt den Dekker to the Washington Nationals and in return the Mets received lefty reliever, Jerry Blevins.
The very next day, as luck would have it, Blevins had to face his former team, and more than that, he was brought in to face the Nationals’ young slugger Bryce Harper. It was all over in less than two minutes after a three-pitch strikeout sent the lefthanded threat back to the opposing dugout.
“It was actually pretty natural,” said Blevins, who faced only Harper. “It was different running in from that bullpen — that was the only difference.”
That was a spring training game, and now everything is ever so real.
Blevins has faced eight batters so far this season: Bryce Harper, Nick Markakis twice, Freddie Freeman, A.J. Pierzynski, Odubel Herrera, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard. Between them, there are 15 All-Star nods, and in the case of Harper and Freeman especially, many more to come. However, they all have two things in common:
1. They’re all left-handed hitters.
2. None of them reached base.
So far this season, the 6’6, 185 lb. Blevins has been absolutely perfect. Striking out four of the eight batters he’s faced, he has done everything he has been asked to do with absolutely no blemishes.
The Mets needed a southpaw who could jog in from the bullpen at a moment’s notice, pitch to a lefty threat, and get him out. He has done just that.
Last season for the Nationals, lefthanded batters were 17-for-106 (.160) against him. He walked six, struck out 40, and didn’t allow a home run all year. He seems to have picked up right where he left off, retiring the first eight lefties he’s faced this season.
After the home opener on Monday, a game in which Blevins pitched a perfect 8th inning, Mets manager Terry Collins said, “I’m not sure we would have won today or yesterday without him.”
“I’m just happy to be a New York Met. I’m ready to wear those pinstripes.” said Blevins his first day on the job with the Mets. So far it’s been all smiles. Here’s hoping that Blevins’ success continues and that we have a real deal Lefty-Killer on our hands! And, of course… Let’s Go Mets!
