The potent offense may have to do a lot of heavy lifting because the pitching, already thin compared to some other WBC contenders, was dealt a serious blow when the Twins’ Pablo López suffered an elbow injury.

Notable Players

Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio and Wilyer Abreu form arguably the best all-around outfield in the tournament. The infield is loaded with MLB talent as well: Eugenio Suarez, Maikel Garcia, Gleyber Torres, Willson Contreras, Luis Arraez and Andres Gimenez. The catchers are Salvador Perez, 35, who is also the captain, and William Contreras.

But on the mound for starters, there is Ranger Suárez, and questions. Options include Eduardo Rodriguez (Diamondbacks) Keider Montero (Tigers), and a pair of Rockies, Antonio Senzatela and Germán Márquez, who combined to go 7-31 last season with ERAs of 6.65 and 6.70, respectively.

The bullpen, however, looks solid with Daniel Palencia, José Alvarado, Eduard Bazardo and Angel Zerpa. Ex-Met José Buttó (dealt to the Giants in the trade for Tyler Rogers at the 2025 deadline) is also there to provide relief. He’s made 15 career starts, so maybe he is an option to do that as well. The ‘pen also includes Carlos Guzman, a 27-year-old right-hander who pitched to a 2.95 ERA in 42 2/3 innings at Double-A Binghamton last season.

Notable Coaches

The manager is Astros bench coach Omar López, who was also at the helm for Team Venezuela in 2023. Johan Santana is one of his two pitching coaches. Miguel Cabrera is a hitting coach.

WBC History

Venezuela has competed in all six editions of the WBC, which started in 2006. Its best showing came in 2009, when a team that included the hitting coach Cabrera, Felix Hernandez, Francisco Rodriguez, Melvin Mora, Bobby Abreu and Endy Chavez advanced to the semifinals before losing to South Korea.

In 2023, Venezuela went 4-0 in pool play before dropping a 9-7 heartbreaker to the United States in the quarterfinals. Trea Turner hit a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning.

Pool

Venezuela is in Pool D with the Dominican Republic, Israel, the Netherlands and Nicaragua. Its first game is against the Netherlands on March 6 at loanDepot Park in Miami. Each team plays everyone in their pool once, and the top two teams move on to the quarterfinals. Tiebreakers, starting with head-to-head, will be used if necessary.

It would be an upset if Venezuela and the Dominican Republic don’t advance. The Netherlands is considered the third-best team in the pool.

For a ranking of all 20 teams by MMO’s Robert Colonna, click here.

The post WBC Team Preview: Venezuela appeared first on Metsmerized.

While everyone has all of their attention on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, which seem to be heating up, the Yankees are still keeping their eyes on the pitching market. The club in the Bronx officially spoke with both top free agent pitchers, Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, via Zoom this past week, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. Reportedly, nine team officials including Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone and Matt Blake were on the call, which lasted over an hour.

While this might not have any correlation to the Yankees chance with Soto, it shows that New York is ready in case the slugger decides to jump ship. 

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Mets News

New York City FC showed some pictures of the progress being made towards their new stadium in Queens.

Jose Iglesias told Laura Albanese of Newsday that he is very open to a return to the Mets, and will also be dropping a new song in 2025. 

Mets legend Johan Santana was inducted into the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame in the Dominican Republic. Alfonso Soriano, Alex Rodriguez and Andruw Jones were also inducted. 

The Mets received a fourth minor league option for right-handed hurler Max Kranick, per Joel Sherman of the NY Post. 

Frankie Montas’ two-year deal, including a player opt-out after 2025, with the Mets was officially announced by the club. David Stearns commented on the signing: “Throughout his career, Frankie has flashed some of the best stuff in the game. He’ll provide a stabilizing presence to our pitching staff and can contribute on and off the field.”

Latest MLB News

Several industry sources believe that the San Diego Padres are in a strong position to land Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, per Francys Romero. 

RHP Koyo Aoyagi’s 45-day negotiating window with major league teams has begun, after the Hanshin Tigers made his posting official, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. The sidearm pitcher posted a 6.2 K/9 and 1.307 WHIP in 114 innings this past season.

Major and minor league player representatives, including former Met Chris Bassitt, were elected by the MLBPA.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that all five Juan Soto contenders, including the Mets, Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays and Dodgers, are still in the mix. He also noted that he will meet with clubs this weekend and we should know his decision by the start of winter meetings on December 9.

On a Bleacher Report live stream, Jon Heyman reported that the Mets are still the favorites to land Pete Alonso. He also noted that getting Soto would in turn help the Mets keep Alonso.

Latest on MMO

Jose Iglesias is open to return to Queens in 2025!

Check out MMO’s free agent profile on a familiar face, Sean Manaea.

Hyeseong Kim of the KBO is being posted for major league clubs. 

On This Date in Mets History

2021: Former Mets manager Gil Hodges is elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The man who lead the Amazins to their first World Series got in on his 35th ballot.

2005: The Mets send prospects Gaby Hernandez and Dante Brinkley to the Florida Marlins and receive catcher Paul Lo Duca in return. His .297 average as a Met is the highest for any catcher in franchise history,

Born On This Date: Cliff Floyd (1972), Al Moran (1938).

The post Morning Briefing: Yankees Speak to Fried, Burnes appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Mets made history yesterday! Unfortunately, as per usual, the Amazins were on the wrong side of history.

With Thursday’s loss to the Cleveland Guardians, it was the first time in franchise history that the Mets were swept by Cleveland. This continued the Mets’ freefall as of late, continuing to lose series as they drop to seven games under .500, their lowest point of the season thus far.

Despite holding a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the sixth and having one of his better performances of the season, José Quintana would give up a three-run blast to former Met Andrés Giménez to tie the game. The Mets were shut out the rest of the way, ending up in yet another loss. For a full breakdown of the game, click here.

Luckily, the Mets will return to Queens for a 10-game home stand, hosting three West Coast teams in hopes of grasping some sort of momentum. They start off with the Giants on Friday, with Christian Scott expected to get the ball for a 7:10 p.m. ET start time.

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Mets News

Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is scheduled to take batting practice during the Mets’ next homestand which starts Friday, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. To learn more about Alvarez’s rehab progression, click here.

Mets two-way prospect Nolan McLean made his Double-A debut on the mound for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. His line: 4 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 BB, and 5 K.

Latest MLB News

The MLB and MLBPA announced an expansion of financial programs to support living Negro Leagues players. The benefits are extended to alumni who played in fewer than four seasons in the Negro Leagues. 

Dallas Keuchel was released by the Mariners Triple-A affiliate Tacoma Rainiers. The 36-year-old veteran starting pitcher made seven starts, posting a 4.74 ERA.

The San Diego Padres placed INF Xander Bogaerts on the 10-day IL, retroactive to May 21, with a left shoulder fracture. He intends to play again this season, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The contract of outfielder David Peralta was selected by the San Diego Padres. 

White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez was placed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain. 

The Texas Rangers signed RHP Nabil Crismatt to a minor league deal, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.

The Seattle Mariners acquired RHP relief pitcher Mike Baumann from the Baltimore Orioles for catcher Blake Hunt, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Latest on MMO

Mark Vientos has been making the most of his opportunity. 

Francisco Alvarez is on his way back to the field.

See what MMO readers had to say about Nolan McLean’s first start in Double-A.

On This Date in Mets History

2010: The Mets beat the Yankees behind 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball from Johan Santana and two Jason Bay home runs.

2009: Omar Santos hits a go-ahead two-run homer off of Jonathan Papelbon, who had not blown a save up until that point in the season. 

1999: The Mets rally for five runs in the ninth inning to take a one-run lead against Curt Shilling, who had thrown eight scoreless innings prior.

Birthdays: Vic Black (36), Ricky Gutiérrez (54), Butch Metzger (72), Pepe Mangual (72)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Get Swept in Cleveland For First Time appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Mets showed shades of their 2022 selves Wednesday night as they came from behind in the ninth to take down the Diamondbacks by a score of 2-1. The story of the night was Kodai Senga as he put together an absolutely masterful outing, going eight innings, giving up only one run and accumulating 12 strikeouts. The Mets’ bats finally woke up in the ninth inning with a Francisco Álvarez home run and Mark Canha triple which ultimately pushed the Mets past the D-backs.

The Mets look to sweep the Diamondbacks tomorrow as they will throw Carlos Carrasco (2-3, 5.94 ERA) against the D-backs’ Ryne Nelson (5-4, 4.67 ERA) at 9:40 p.m. ET.

Latest Mets News

The 2023 Home Run Derby bracket was released after the field was set earlier on in the day and Pete Alonso found himself as the two seed in the annual tournament. Pete will try to get revenge as he takes on Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodríguez in the first round, who ended Alonso’s chance at a three-peat last year in Los Angeles.

The Mets’ sixth overall prospect Dominic Hamel spun a gem in his start for Double-A Binghamton as he went six innings while racking up 11 strikeouts and only allowing one earned run. Despite having an up and down season, Hamel has an impressive 91 strikeouts while only allowing 25 walks in 67 2/3 innings.

Tyler Stuart continued his dominance in High-A Brooklyn as he gave up two earned runs early on but would go on to retire 17 of the last 19 batters he faced. This extends Stuart’s streak of allowing two or less runs to 14 consecutive starts and lowers his ERA to 1.55.

Kodai Senga. Photo by MMO’s Ed Delany

Latest MLB News

A pair of struggling veteran pitchers, Adam Wainwright and Zack Greinke, hit the 15-day IL on Wednesday for their respective teams. The Cardinals, who have been one of the most disappointing teams in the majors, have not been helped by Wainwright as he has posted a 7.66 ERA in his age-41 season and is now on the IL with a right shoulder strain. Greinke is also in the midst of a down year for a lowly Royals team and finds himself sidelined with right shoulder tendinitis after being pulled from his last start. 

The Baltimore Orioles called up their second ranked prospect and the 14th prospect in all of MLB, Colton Cowser. The fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft had a meteoric rise through the Orioles system and was rewarded for his hot start in Triple-A as he was hitting for a .330 BA with a .996 OPS. Cowser went 1-for-3 with an RBI in his big league debut against the Yankees Wednesday night.

Major League Baseball announced that Yankees relief pitching, Jimmy Cordero, is being suspended for the rest of the season for violating MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy. This suspension includes the postseason and Cordero will go participate in a confidential and comprehensive evaluation and treatment program which will be supervised by the Joint Policy Board.

Latest on MMO

Michael Famulari went in depth on the Mets newest acquisition, Trevor Gott.

Sam Neumann highlighted a possible turning point for Starling Marte.

On This Date in Mets History

1970: Mets outfielder Tommie Agee hits a triple in the seventh inning for the second cycle in Mets history.

2010: Johan Santana hits his first major league home run while throwing a complete game shutout in a Mets win against the Cincinnati Reds. 

2018: José Bautista deposits the first pitch of his ninth inning at bat t1o the left field seats for a walk-off grand slam. Bautista’s first career walk-off homer ended a night in which Jacob Degrom threw eight innings of one-run ball.

Birthdays: Lance Johnson (60), Willie Randolph (69)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Now 4-0 in July After Stunning Comeback appeared first on Metsmerized.

Max Scherzer. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, May 21, 2023 • 1:40 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, New York
RHP Tanner Bibee (1-1, 3.22) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (3-2, 4.88)
WPIX

The New York Mets look to extend their winning streak to four games and get above .500 this afternoon when they take on the Cleveland Guardians for the first game of a doubleheader. Yesterday afternoon’s game was washed out, which was probably a good thing for the Mets as their bullpen had been overtaxed the last three games. Now we have a split-admission doubleheader probable lineup for the ages as Max Scherzer pitches in the afternoon followed by Justin Verlander tonight.

The last time New York was in action, Friday night, was another incredibly exciting win for the Mets who were down 3-0 early. Pete Alonso tied the game with a grand slam in the seventh inning. The baby Mets (specifically Francisco Álvarez and Brett Baty) had home runs as well and eventually the Mets won the game via a walk-off single from Francisco Lindor.

Mets’ Lineup

Let's play two! #LGM

🆚 Cleveland
💪 @Max_Scherzer
📺 WPIX
📻 @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/avtLOYOEPf

— New York Mets (@Mets) May 21, 2023

Max Scherzer has pitched 27 2/3 innings over six games posting a 4.88 ERA, 5.65 FIP, 1.301 WHIP, and an 86 ERA+. He is coming off of one his better starts this season where he held the Washington Nationals to one run via two hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings.

He has now hit a season high of six strikeouts in three different starts – those have also been his best starts (this is excluding the start against the Dodgers, but he was heading toward at least six strikeouts before he was ejected). The Guardians have the following career numbers against Scherzer:

• Amed Rosario 5-17, 2B, HR, 8 K
• Josh Bell 5-12, 3 2B, HR, 3 BB, 2 K
• José Ramírez 1-6, 2B, 2 K
• Andrés Giménez 1-4, 3B, 2 K
• Cam Gallagher 1-3, K
• Josh Naylor 1-3
• Mike Zunino 0-3, K

Guardians’ Lineup

Cleveland Guardians Starting Lineup 5/21
1. Kwan OF
2. Rosario SS
3. Ramirez 3B
4. Naylor DH
5. Bell 1B
6. Arias OF
7. Freeman 2B
8. Zunino C
9. Straw OFhttps://t.co/9qdcv6EMaO

— 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 MLB (@LineStarMLB) May 21, 2023

The Mets’ bats will get a look at rookie Tanner Bibee. In his first four major-league starts he has has tossed 22 1/3 innings posting a 3.22 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 1.030 WHIP, and a 133 ERA+. Bibee had a rough start against the Detroit Tigers back on May 8 where he allowed four runs via seven hits and four walks over 3 2/3 innings. He bounced back in a big way against the Angels his time out, holding them to only one run from two hits over 7 2/3 innings while striking out seven.

Game Notes

Relief pitcher Josh Walker will serve as the Mets’ 27th man for the doubleheader for each game.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com, the Mets will be the first team to start pitchers who have each won three-plus Cy Young awards in both ends of the doubleheader in Scherzer and Verlander. Coincidentally enough, the only team to start two pitchers who even won two-plus Cy Young awards were also the Mets: Pedro Martínez and Johan Santana in 2008.

The Mets, along with all of Major League Baseball, will celebrate Armed Services Weekend. The team will wear military inspired caps and socks for the entire series against the Guardians.

Three Things To Watch For

1. The Mets are showing power again! Álvarez hit his fifth homer of the year and Baty hit his fourth in the Mets’ last game. It was also the third time in four games that New York hit three home runs in the same game. This now gives the Mets 51 home runs on the season, good for 14th in the league (they were sitting at 20th at the start of the week). In the last seven calendar days the Mets have hit 10 home runs (all in the last four games), which puts them sixth in the league.
2. The Baby Mets. Álvarez, Baty and Vientos have been crucial for the Mets during this current winning streak. Pete Alonso leads the team with 17 home runs. Lindor has six. After that, Álvarez is third on the team with five homers and Baty is tied for fourth with four long balls. Vientos hit that critical shot in his first game with New York. When the kids are playing they are pushing the team forward.
3. Bullpen Check: The Mets’ bullpen probably did not complain that yesterday’s game was cancelled. Five pitchers were used in yesterday’s game including Dominic Leone (25 pitches), Drew Smith (19 pitches), Stephen Nogosek (18 pitches), Adam Ottavino (16 pitches) and David Robertson (nine pitches). Nogosek, Ottavino and Robertson have each tossed at least 37 pitches in their last three games. They could use a break.

The post MMO Game Thread: Guardians vs. Mets, 1:40 P.M. (Game 1) appeared first on Metsmerized.

Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

This was a no-hitter regardless of how you viewed it or how many pitchers it took. The Mets waited more than 50 years for their first: Johan Santana providing the entirety of the 134 tosses on a Friday night at Citi Field. They waited nearly 10 years for the next one: also on a Friday night, also at Citi Field, but using five pitchers to deliver the 159 needed against the Philadelphia Phillies.

A quintet of Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely Rodríguez, Seth Lugo, and Edwin Díaz joined Santana – unconventional, but nonetheless a unique moment in club history.

It was the first no-hitter in the majors that year, the 17th-ever combined no-no, and the only one with five pitchers used. A reason for the high pitch count, the most needed for a no-hitter since the total was widely tracked back in 1988, was thanks to six walks. But it was a slight blemish on an otherwise immaculate evening that ended in a 3-0 victory.

Megill began by holding down an imposing Phillies offense over five innings, mainly with fastballs. After 88 pitches, five strikeouts, and three walks, he was replaced to begin the bullpen relay.

Smith did not allow a baserunner in the 1.1 innings he was on the mound and fanned four. Rodríguez gave out a free pass to the first batter he faced when he came on in the seventh, but a double play ball from Alec Bohm eliminated any further threat.

Lugo finished off the eighth and left a runner stranded when he induced a pair of popups.

Díaz entered in a save situation, except a little bit extra was at stake. He wasted little time sustaining the drama. Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and J.T. Realmuto each went down on strikeouts in a performance that would be reminiscent of the closer’s dominance throughout the season.

The Mets’ offense initially had difficulty in building a lead for their pitchers. After being stifled by Aaron Nola, who retired 10 straight at one point, they got to the Phillies ace in the fifth. Eduardo Escobar singled, Mark Canha doubled on a liner over the third base bag, and Jeff McNeil drove both home with a two-run single to left center, breaking the scoreless deadlock.

The lead increased in the sixth thanks to a Pete Alonso home run for the game’s final margin.

Although their respective fortunes differed in the postseason, the Mets dominated the Phillies during the 2022 regular season — winning 14 of 19 with more special occasions and remarkable finishes. Just six days later, New York orchestrated a ninth-inning rally from 7-1 down at Citizens Bank Park. Later in May, Nick Plummer tied it in the ninth with his first career hit and home run (won later by an Escobar single). Then in August, Canha’s dramatic ninth-inning blast capped a two-homer day and a wild 10-9 road win.

The post OTD 2022: Five Mets Combine for No-Hitter appeared first on Metsmerized.

He won two Cy Young Awards with the Minnesota Twins while solidifying himself as the premiere starting pitcher in baseball. The Mets were intent on avenging a late-season collapse in 2007 and a major off-season acquisition would go a long way. For GM Omar Minaya, Santana was the solution.

Sending away top center field prospect Carlos Gomez plus minor leaguers Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey, Minaya and the Twins agreed to a trade that resonated both in Queens and throughout the major league landscape on this day in 2008. Two days later, under a deadline to close a contract, the Mets and the left-handed ace sealed a six-year, $137.5 million dollar deal.

A team clouded with question marks in the wake of colossal disappointment was suddenly a World Series contender again. New York’s new ace fit the description well in his first year — leading the National League in ERA, games started, and innings pitched while eclipsing 200 strikeouts for the fifth straight time and ending with a team-best 7.2 bWAR. He would end up third in the Cy Young Award voting.

The Mets, though, couldn’t shake another rough September, which ultimately had them on the outside of the playoff picture. Santana did his best to prevent it with a performance in a must-win situation which may be his best ever as a Met.

On the penultimate day of the regular season, Santana fought through a bad left knee to pitch a complete-game three-hitter against the Florida Marlins before a packed house at a soon-to-be-closed Shea Stadium.

Dominant performances would be less frequent and an injured Santana became far too common. Starting in 2009, he never reached 30 starts or 200 innings again. Santana proved to be perpetually fragile with the Mets after being extremely durable during his time in Minnesota. Despite the constant ailments, he produced a three-year ERA+ of 143 from ’08 through 2010.

Unfortunately, Santana missed all of 2011 and 2013. Throughout his time in New York, appearances on the mound were fewer than any Met fan would’ve wanted. When he was pitching, he was still pretty good — if not great. Santana’s Mets career amounted to a 46-34 record over four years with a 3.18 ERA and 1.201 WHIP in 109 starts.

No fan will ever forget the three-hit shutout in ’08. But then came June 1, 2012 — to this day, 60 years in, the only solo no-hitter by a New York Mets pitcher.

For that game alone, in spite of injuries that held him back, the trade is a signature moment.

The post OTD 2008: Mets Trade for Johan Santana appeared first on Metsmerized.

No-hitters come in a variety of ways. But for the New York Mets before June 1, 2012, it had not been presented to them in any fashion. Then came the 8,020th game for the franchise—started on the Citi Field mound by Johan Santana. It may not have been the best pitching performance in Mets history, but it was certainly unlike any that had preceded it.

Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Dwight Gooden, and David Cone. Each is a recognized pitcher. Each showcased their talents in Queens. Each threw a no-hitter (or, in Ryan’s case, seven). Each did it for a team other than the Mets.

Despite the wealth of talented arms to pass through Flushing, there was a 50-year albatross. Deliverance came in the form of a two-time Cy Young winner, who eradicated the team’s prolonged wait while also adding a chapter to his own comeback story. Santana battled arm trouble for nearly his whole tenure in New York but had a league-best ERA in his first season (2008) and a 127 ERA+ over 109 five injury-plagued years. He missed all of 2011 recovering from shoulder surgery and served numerous IL stints, including one in August 2012 that all but ended his Mets career. But for nine magical innings against the St. Louis Cardinals, he rediscovered his once-reliable prowess and fortitude—even if some feel this came at a personal cost.

It remains the only solo no-hitter in franchise history. But a no-hitter isn’t accomplished without the help of others. And Santana’s was certainly no different.

Catchers are the unsung heroes for a feat of this nature, and Josh Thole called all 134 pitches behind the plate. Mike Baxter‘s heroics were singular but as tremendous as any play in the entire game. There was one out in the seventh and the Mets were up 5-0. Yadier Molina hit a drive to deep left-center field. Without regard for his safety or the wall, Baxter hauled it in and careened into the fence. He was down on the warning track before exiting with a shoulder contusion, but Santana ensured that Baxter’s stuntman effort was not made in vain.

It would be impossible to discuss the events of this night without mentioning the call made by third base umpire Adrian Johnson in the top of the sixth. Carlos Beltran, returning to Citi Field for the first time since departing the previous July, appeared to have pulled a sixth-inning hit down the line. Except it was called foul by Johnson. Replay was limited in concept and not the full-blown process it is now. Therefore it was not reviewable.

Countless historical moments are coupled with human error. Thus, the Cardinals remained hitless through six following the missed call, after seven following the remarkable play by Baxter, and then into the top of the ninth with the score 8-0.

Despite five walks and a pitch count exceeding the left-hander’s career-high (and much higher than manager Terry Collins would have preferred), Santana started the ninth by getting short fly balls from Matt Holliday and Allen Craig. Then came David Freese. After going to 3-0, Santana got a strike looking, a weak foul ball, and finally a swinging strike to end it.

Fittingly called by the longtime play-by-play voices who are long(er)time Mets fans and might have doubted this day would ever come.

Tuesday’s pre-game ceremony with Santana, Thole, Collins brought back a flood of memories for the principals involved and all those who witnessed it — just like each anniversary has.

The five-man no-no on April 29 against Philadelphia was certainly special in its own right. But you never forget your first, especially since it was 50 years in the making.

The post No-Han: Ten Years Later appeared first on Metsmerized.

Tylor Megill continued his meteoric rise on Friday night as he played a starring role in the Mets creating history.

For only the second time in franchise history, the New York Mets threw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field, with the bats doing enough in a 3-0 win.

While it was very much a combined effort that secured the second no-hitter through the 9,499 games played by this organization, Megill very much led the charge and set the tone from the start of the game.

It wasn’t easy for Megill, who was made to work by the Phillies bats all night long but, as he has done since his rookie year, he stepped up and delivered in style.

The first inning proved to be a 17-pitch slog as Jean Segura and Rhys Hoskins both grounded out, before Bryce Harper flew out to center field to end a one-two-three inning.

What became apparent early on was that Megill was going to live or die by his fastball, a pitch he relied on 66% of the time on Friday.

It proved to be very effective too with a 37% whiff rate as Nick Castellanos struck out on that pitch to lead off the second, while Megill went back to that pitch to force Alec Bohm to fly out to center field to end the inning after Kyle Schwarber was walked.

Tylor Megill strikes out 3 in the 5th! pic.twitter.com/vNkeKOfs5s

— SNY (@SNYtv) April 30, 2022

Megill finished his first two innings having thrown 43 pitches as the Phillies did a good job of staying disciplined at the plate, but he breezed through the third inning as his fastball again caused havoc, touching 95.3 mph as Odubel Herrera struck out with both Didi Gregorius and Segura lining out.

Megill’s lethal fastball reached a high of 96.8 mph on Friday and, wearing the Mets’ blackout uniform, he certainly struck fear into the heart of the Phillies lineup.

He didn’t allow a hit and gave up just one walk his first time through the order, and the big hitters in Hoskins, Harper and Castellanos all went down easily in the fourth with the fastball again proving to be the go-to pitch.

However, Megill did enter a bit of a jam in the fifth as Schwarber walked again after J.T. Realmuto was got by a slider, which was Megill’s second-most used and second-most effective pitch with a 22% usage and a 22% whiff rate.

Bohm was unable to work out Megill’s fastball and he went down swinging but Schwarber stole second and then Gregorius walked, leading to a mound visit with men on first and second.

As he’s proved time and time again, though, Megill is as gritty and tough as they come and he again went to his fastball to strike out Herrera to end the inning and keep the no-hitter in-tact.

That also proved to be the end of Megill’s night with Drew Smith coming in to replace him on the mound, and the 26-year-old finished his night having not allowed a hit in five innings of work, striking out five and walking three.

He lowered his ERA to 1.93 on the season, and he’s now also tied for the major league lead in wins with four.

Pretty impressive for a second-year starter.

📸 pic.twitter.com/zdpa8XqwRp

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 30, 2022

Megill also joined Johan Santana in becoming the winning pitcher in a Mets no-hitter, and the righty was understandably on top of the world after the game.

“I’m ecstatic, it’s crazy. It’s the first one I’ve been a part of,” Megill said. “It was exciting. It’s a team game and all of these guys came in, filled up the zone, did their job, just fearless and attacking hitters. It’s the first one that I’ve been a part of, and I’m glad it’s with this group of guys… I’m just proud of these guys.”

And Megill also reflected on his journey so far this season, going from being considered a depth piece to all of a sudden establishing himself as a key and lethal weapon in a rotation that gets it done night in and night out.

“It’s been special,” he said. “Obviously, the circumstances of what happened – I guess the cards that were dealt for me and just going out and doing my thing… At the end of the day, I’m just going out and just pitching. I try not to think too much about it and just go out and do my job, trying to help this team collectively win the game.”

Mets manager Buck Showalter, who already has had a clear and significant impact on the entire franchise, also reflected on what was a special, special night for Megill and the rest of the pitching staff as they clinched the 315th no-hitter in MLB history and the 17th of the combined variety.

“It was a great night for the pitchers,” Showalter said. “Every time you come off a trip like that and you’re playing a team that’s hot, you are hoping that you get a quality start because you are facing one of the best pitchers in the league in (Aaron) Nola and you’re going to have some things happen that don’t normally happen to win a game.

“I kept looking up there because I knew early that Tylor wasn’t going to finish the game and it was just a matter of when. He threw close to 90 pitches in five innings and that was plenty, but what a job the rest of the guys did… That was fun to watch.”

Whatever happens from here on out in regards to Megill’s continued meteoric rise as a high-end starter, he will now forever be enshrined in Mets history after playing a leading role in a special night at Citi Field.

And, with Jacob deGrom on the way back coupled with just how hot this team has been to start 2022, don’t count out Megill and the Mets being a part of many more special nights this season.

The post Tylor Megill Pitches Another Gem On Historic Night For Mets appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mandatory photo credit: Associated Press

The New York Mets did something as a team that had only happened once before in the organization’s 60 year history. On Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field, the New York Mets threw a no-hitter. This is the second no-hitter the Mets have thrown through the 9,499 games played as an organization. Furthermore, unlike Johan Santana’s legendary no-hitter performance back on June 1, 2012, this was a combined effort that featured five Mets’ pitchers.

Tylor Megill started the game and threw five terrific innings. He struck out five Phillies’ hitters and walked three. Unfortunately, due to some disciplined hitting by Philadephia, he was removed after the fifth inning as he threw 88 pitches. Drew Smith was the next pitcher to enter and he posted 1 ⅓ innings himself. He walked a batter and struck out four throwing 36 pitches.

Joely Rodríguez came in to relieve Smith in the seventh inning. After a Kyle Schwarber walk, which was issued by Smith, Rodríguez induced a ground ball, 6-4-3 double play. He also got the lead-off hitter in the eighth inning before Seth Lugo came on. Lugo only had to throw five pitches which resulted in two fly ball outs and sent the game to the ninth inning.

Mandatory photo credit: Associated Press

Edwin Diaz, with the trumpets blaring, came in to not only close the game but in an effort to register the Mets’ second ever no-hitter. He struck out Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and J.T. Realmuto to make Mets’ history. It took Diaz 13 pitches and he went through one of the best group of 3-4-5 hitters in the league. What a beautiful ending to a terrific pitching performance.

Funny enough, after the game during the press conference Diaz admitted he was the only one of Lugo, Smith, and Megill that knew the Mets were pitching a combined no-hitter. Mets’ owner Steve Cohen tweeted after the game, “What a special night for the team and all our fans. You don’t see that very often. LGM.”

Worth pointing out, it took the Mets 159 pitches to do the job, extraordinary. They struck out 16 Phillies’ hitters and walked six. This was also the second no-hitter James McCann caught in his career (Lucas Giolito in 2020). Also, the second no-hitter Buck Showalter has been a part of in 21 year managerial career. 

There is always one play in every no-hitter that sticks out. Back in 2012, it was the Mike Baxter grab while crashing into the W.B. Mason advertisement in left field. Tonight, it was a diving Brandon Nimmo catch in the second inning off a 104.5 MPH line drive that had an xBA of .770. 

Overall, this is the 315th no-hitter in MLB history. Specifically, the 17th of the combined variety. The last single pitcher effort no-hitter in the MLB occurred last season when Tyler Glbert did it for the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 14th of 2021. The most recent no-hitter of any type was a combined effort by the Milwakee Brewers on September 11th of 2021. The Phiadelphia Phillies were no-hit for the first time since May 25th of 2014. This is the 22nd time in their history. 

Interestingly enough, this is the fourth no-hitter at Citi Field since its opening in 2009. Of course, former Mets’ pitcher Johan Santana threw 134 pitches in his historic Met moment back in June of 2012. Also, current Met Max Scherzer threw one as a member of the Nationals’ in October of 2015 and in June of 2015, Chris Heston threw one for the San Franscio Giants. 

Well, it took New York 50 years and 8,019 games for the organiztions first no-hitter in 2012. Now, 1,480 games and 10 years later the Mets have their second no-hitter in team history. The team’s first combined effort. Coincidentally enough, the Mets are honoring Santana’s no-hitter on May 31st as the 10-year anniversary. Furthermore, after the game Jeff McNeil even admitted, “That’s probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen on a Major League Baseball field.” What a terrific start to the season for the season it has been. Oh, and happy birthday to Gary Cohen and Jerry Seinfeld!

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