MLB: The Five Best Pitching Staffs Post-Deadline
By Ron Juckett
NEW YORK METS
As they fight the Miami Marlins and others for the National League Wild Card, the defending league champions have the pitching to go deep in October.
Even with Matt Harvey gone for the year, the Mets boast four starters with an Adjusted ERA+ over 100. The ageless Bartolo Colon has 10 wins in his pocket and Jacob deGrom sports a 2.41 ERA. Jeurys Familia slammed the door 38 times for saves already as Hansel Robles and Addison Reed transfer leads from the starts with precision.
What the Mets do well as a squad is keeping the ball in the yard. The 94 home runs allowed is tops in the NL. They also lead the league in walks allowed with 283 in 975.1 innings. With the third-best ERA of 3.42, it is safe to say the pitching at Citi Field is carrying this team.
As good as their pitching is, the offense has struggled all year. Injuries to David Wright and Lucas Duda ended their seasons. Steven Matz has battled arm problems all year, his first full season. Manager Terry Collins will have his work cut out if the Mets make the playoffs. For the faithful in Queens, Noah Syndergaard or deGrom can win important games, but New York’s fate rests on the offense.
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