There’s still plenty to watch at Citi Field the next two month. The season isn’t over just yet.
Besides Jacob deGrom, who’s struggles with a win column despite an ERA of under two have become legendary, Noah Syndergaard’s is a must watch every five days as well.
However, unlike deGrom, Thor’s biggest issue isn’t the home team scoring runs. No, he’s more like the broken-down Thor we saw in the Avengers movie this past May. Syndergaard needs to stay on the field.
“It’s crucial,” Syndergaard said. “I need to be consistent and healthy. This was the second start in a row and I want to keep on going out there.”
Over the past two years, this has been Syndergaard’s biggest problem and unlike Matt Harvey, who was watching tonight from the Reds’ dugout, his problem with health has been the non-arm injuries. After missing most of last year with a lat injury, he missed almost two months this season with a strained finger and then 10 days with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Although the arm is fine, Syndergaard is developing a reputation of an oft-injured pitcher, something he needs to change if he expects to be the Mets big horse in 2019.
Tonight, he didn’t have his best stuff and still got into the seventh with no runs when he ran out of gas. Imagine if he had his best and not shown any signs of rust. That’s what the Mets need to see the rest of the season. Right now, he’s 7-2 with a 3.17 ERA. Not bad, but we all know it can be better if he was 100 percent.
But it looks like the recovery time is over and now it’s time for the Thor we know and love.
If Syndergaard can get saw 10 more starts this season, he has a chance to still salvage the season. Unlike deGrom, the Mets seems to have no problem scoring runs for their man-god, so that’s a good thing.
And the better news is that Citi Field won’t be so soupy going into September, so Syndergaard may be able to go a little longer in games without losing the same effectiveness.
But, still he needs to stay on the field.
Right now, everything looks good and he will have the ball in five days. One start at a time. But it’s time to end the ticky-tac injuries and get back to work.
The Mets need Thor and Thor needs the Mets.
Let’s see it remain like that for the next two months.
Be a stopper and stay on the field Thor. It’s what everyone wants from you.
And one more reason to watch the Mets for the rest of 2018.
About the Author
