To say that 2019 has been kind to Noah Syndergaard would be cruel as the once dominant flame thrower has had a rough go of it so far this season. He battled against one of the best teams in all of baseball and helped to produce a quality start without looking like the pitcher he once was in the Metropolitans’ heartbreaking 9-8 loss to the Dodgers.
Syndergaard, 26, had a bit of a see-saw type night on Wednesday. The once mighty Thor was staked to an early 3-0 lead that quickly evaporated before our very eyes as he just continues to get hit hard. Noah battled to go six innings on the night, allowing three runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out five, producing a quality start.
Syndergaard spoke after the game on his performance against the hot hitting Dodgers.
“I felt great. The ball was coming out really well. I’m still scratching my head at how they were able to get those balls in play on the fastballs up and in, in the zone,” Syndergaard said. “But I feel like I made a nice adjustment going down and away once I realized what their approach was.” (NY Daily News)
The Dodgers continued their offensive onslaught against Syndergaard and the Mets as the team just continues to produce. Noah allowed five extra-base hits on the night, all doubles, two of which came off the bat of Corey Seager. He tossed mostly fastballs on the night, a pitch that is not seemingly overpowering hitters as it once did.
Syndergaard looked frustrated on the mound as Los Angeles continued to get to pitches that he did not believe they would have a chance at. Frustration continued to mount for Noah and the Mets as his season trounces on.
Manager, Mickey Callaway spoke after the game on Syndergaard’s performance and the perplexity of the Dodgers being on top of some of Noah’s best pitches.
“Noah had good stuff tonight,” Callaway said. “Dave was kind of perplexed when he’d go in and look at some of the pitches they were hitting, they were off the plate and up. He executed pitches like we wanted to and they’re still barreling them up right now.”
It took 116 pitches for Noah to get through his six innings of work, 78 of which landed for strikes as he took the no-decision. Wednesday night was just another chapter in what has been an inconsistent season for Syndergaard and company.
