Do the New York Mets really have the top three MLB starters?
By Rick Soisson
How about the Divisonal Rivals?
Hold on. Haven’t the Nationals been in the discussion for five years as having extraordinary starters? The apparently correct remark here is: “That was then; this is now.” Yes, Max Scherzer is still putting up impressive numbers, 5-2/2.21/0.81, before play June 15, or the rough equivalent of the “weaker” two of the three top New York Mets starters.
The other two Nats starters who have started at least 10 games, Joe Ross and the costly Patrick Corbin, have between them, two losing records, two unsightly ERAs, and one fairly bloated WHIP, Corbin’s 1.51.
The .500 Phillies are in slightly better shape, but once again, only one of their three top starters with at least 10 games started, Zack Wheeler, is putting together numbers equal to the lesser two of the Mets’ best workhorses – 4-3/2.29/0.90.
The top six starters for Washington and Philadelphia have given up 34 and 26 home runs, respectively, before play on June 15.
Between the Marlins and Braves, one of the six leading starters has figures the rough equivalent of Stroman’s and Walker’s figures for the Mets, Miami’s Trevor Rogers, who is rolling along with a 7-3 record in 13 starts, an ERA of 2.02, and a 1.06 WHIP. Like New York, Miami’s top three starters have given up only 20 home runs.
Bottom line: In the NL East, there are three pitchers right now posting numbers that suggest they might finish the season with figures a bit like deGrom’s – Scherzer, Wheeler, and Rogers. That would have to involve some backsliding by the Mets ace, however.
As a group, the Phillies’ top three starters seem to have a chance to post aggregate figures like the Mets’ top three, but don’t bet money on it because of, again, Jacob deGrom. Through mid-June Aaron Nola had struggled except for a couple of brilliant games, and Zach Eflin had not received great run support from his team.