After more than an hour’s rain delay, the New York Mets took the field for the first time in the season with an unexpected starter on the mound. Tylor Megill had only played 89.2 innings before his opening day’s start.
The call came after Jacob deGrom’s latest injury that can keep him off the field for two months, hopefully. Max Scherzer was also out due to a tight hamstring. But Scherzer was cleared and will pitch for New York on Game 2.
Megill had a great outing in 5 innings pitched, with six strikeouts, no walks, and only three hits allowed. He had no runs earned, finishing at a 0.00 ERA and a 0.60 WHIP.
Tylor Megill has surprisingly dominant outing for New York Mets
The Mets #38 depends on four pitches: a 4-Seam Fastball, Slider, Changeup, and Curveball. Megill reached a max fastball velocity of 99.1 mph in the bottom of the first inning, striking out Cesar Hernandez. His average fastball velocity is 96.1 mph on his first season start.
The Nats were held to a .143 batting average on the starter’s fastball. In 5 innings, his strikeout percentage was 33.3. Washington could only score with a home run from Juan Soto in the bottom of the 6th out of reliever Trevor May.
The Mets looked good, especially Mark Canha. The center fielder went 2-for-3 with two hits, walked once, had an RBI, and a strikeout.
Everyone in the lineup reached base, with Josh McCann getting hit by a pitch twice in the game. Pete Alonso also got drilled in the left shoulder, resulting in a bounced hit in the face.
The game’s most significant concern came from Francisco Lindor. The big-name shortstop struck out three times and got one hit and one RBI in 5 plate appearances. He also committed a fielding error in the bottom of the 2nd due to a bad throw to first base. New York hopes that Lindor can translate Spring Training numbers to the regular season.
It is still early, but overall the New York Mets are looking good. Next, they will take on the Washington Nationals for game 2 in a pitching battle between Max Scherzer and Josiah Gray.