Mets Pitcher Jacob deGrom Ties Bob Gibson’s Quality Starts Streak

New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom works during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park in Miami on Wednesday, April 3, 2019. The Mets won, 6-4. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom works during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park in Miami on Wednesday, April 3, 2019. The Mets won, 6-4. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)

On Wednesday, New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom did something no other pitcher has done since Bob Gibson 51 years ago.

Six games into the 2019 season and the New York Mets (5-1) are in first place in baseball’s toughest division, the NL East. If things couldn’t get any better for the organization, their ace starting pitcher helped them reach their fifth win of the season by doing something no other starting pitcher has done in 51 years.

On Wednesday against the Miami Marlins, deGrom pitched his 26th straight quality start (QS), after tossing 7-innings of shutout ball. What’s more, deGrom contributed offensively as well, drilling a solo shot off of Trevor Richards in the 3rd inning.

For those who may not know, a QS is when a starting pitcher records at least 6 innings of work while allowing no more than 3 earned runs (ER).

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The last pitcher to ever to toss 26 consecutive QS was Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals. He accomplished this feat from 9/12/1967 to 7/30/1968.

In those 26 games, here’s a tally of starts by ER:

  • # of games with 0 ER: 12
  • # of games with 1 ER: 9
  • # of games with 2 ER: 1
  • # of games with 3 ER: 4
  • OVERALL: 19-6 W-L / 0.90 ERA / 185.2 IP

deGrom’s streak began last season, on 5/18/2018, and while not quite as impressive as Gibson’s, it’s still quite a feat in today’s era.

Here’s deGrom’s breakdown:

  • # of games with 0 ER: 7
  • # of games with 1 ER: 10
  • # of games with 2 ER: 5
  • # of games with 3 ER: 4
  • STATS: 9-9 W-L /1.56 ERA / 229 IP

Jacob deGrom earned an extension contract from the New York Mets prior to the season worth 5-years, $137.5M. So far, deGrom has earned every penny as he looks to follow up his 2018 NL Cy Young season with another.

Look for deGrom to break Gibson’s record next week as he is scheduled to start against the Minnesota Twins at home.