When it comes to starting pitching, the Mets put out their version of the bat signal on Saturday in the Bronx against the Yankees.
Mets’ starters had given up seven earned runs in seven innings pitched in the first two games of the five-game series. Michael Wacha gave up four earned runs over three innings in game one of Friday’s doubleheader, and David Peterson surrendered three earned runs in four innings pitched in game two.
Robert Gsellman answered the call for a better start on Saturday, throwing four innings of one-run ball against a somewhat depleted Yankees’ lineup, in a game the Mets would lose 2-1.
The day did not start well for Gsellman, as he allowed a home run to Luke Voit with one out in the first inning. Gsellman proceeded to record the next 11 outs without further damage.
Gsellman was aided by his defense. The Mets threw two runners out at the plate in the bottom of the fourth, the second of which coming on a fantastic relay from Billy Hamilton to Amed Rosario (though on the broadcast Robinson Cano was credited with the throw home) to Wilson Ramos to nab Clint Frazier.
On the day, Gsellman faced 15 batters, allowing four hits, striking out four, and was charged with just one run on Voit’s home run. Gsellman threw 57 pitches, 33 for strikes. In his last start on Aug. 17, Gsellman threw 47 pitches, so the Mets are gradually stretching him out in an attempt to increase his workload as a starter.
After the game, Luis Rojas said Gsellman was effective because he had his full arsenal of pitches working. Gsellman featured a fastball with good movement, an effective slider with late break, and was able to keep the Yankees’ hitters off stride with his change up. Gsellman was able to induce ground balls on 36.4% of balls hit into play against him, particularly important with Yankee Stadium’s hitter-friendly dimensions.
Gsellman’s ERA now stands at 5.19 for the 2020 season. He’s made four appearances, three of which have been starts, after beginning the season on the injured list and being activated on Aug. 7. The Mets have won two of the three games he has started (8/12 against Washington and 8/17 against Miami).
Gsellman would be in line to pitch Thursday once again against the Yankees in a makeup game at Citi Field, if the plan is to give him four days’ rest. This is subject to change, with a doubleheader Sunday and the fluid nature of the Mets starting rotation as the team attempts to navigate to scheduling oddities of the 2020 campaign.
