Terry Collins told reporters on Sunday that rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard would get the first start of the second half when the Mets open a three game series in St. Louis against the Cardinals.
The team officially announced on Thursday, that Bartolo Colon will get the start on Saturday and that Jon Niese will start the following game and pitch in the series finale against the Cards on Sunday.
That sets up Jacob DeGrom, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard to pitch in the very critical series against their division rival, the first place Washington Nationals, in DC.
This new alignment will also afford Harvey and DeGrom some extra rest as the Mets look to conserve their innings load. Both Harvey and DeGrom are on pace for 200 innings this season.
I love what’s happening here. There’s obviously a lot thought involved as the Mets have set this up to have their top three guns going against a nemesis who beat them in 15 of 19 contests last season, and have already taken 4 of 7 this year.
When the season first started, I wrote that “the road to the postseason for the Mets goes through Washington D.C..” It was true then… it’s still true now.
The starting pitching is largely responsible for the Mets being just two games out of first place and just one game behind a wild card spot.
They rank sixth in the majors with a 3.41 ERA, and are tied for fourth in the majors with 488 strikeouts, and the starters have a 1.40 ERA in their last 15 games.
It’s going to be a bumpy ride filled with lots of challenges in the second half for our Mets. And it begins with two big series against a couple of tough opponents. I can’t wait…
(Updated 7/15)
