Mets Noah Syndergaard Becoming an Elite Rookie Pitcher
The New York Mets rookie pitcher Noah Syndergaard is becoming one of the elite rookies in the National League. Before the season is over, Syndergaard could be at the top of the list for rookie of the year honors if he continues to impress as he has of late.
The Mets have battled back to within two games of first place Washington in the NL East. Syndergaard has been a big part of their success. Friday night the rookie sensation produced this third consecutive outstanding performance recording a personal record with 13 strikeouts, as the Mets defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks by a score of 4-2.
Syndergaard gave up one run, walking two and allowing just four hits over his eight innings of work. His ERA for the season has dropped to 3.11 and he has given up just 3 runs during his past 22 innings pitched over three starts.
The Mets are not just within two games of NL East leading Washington, but also within two of the second place wildcard in the NL that currently is held by the Chicago Cubs.
Syndergaard has a considerable amount of work to make up on Joc Pederson the rookie sensation from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Maikel Franco from Philadelphia, Yasmnay Tomas of Arizona, Kris Bryant from Chicago, and Chris Heston and Matt Duffy both from San Francisco.
Kevin Plawecki the rookie catcher for the Mets said that Syndergaard was gaining a great deal of confidence
Manager Terry Collins pointed out the way Syndergaard was able to handle the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig and on Friday night Paul Goldschmidt, two of the top sluggers in the National League.
In separate news, the Mets injuries continue to dog the team. Steven Matz, another rookie hurler for the team will be sidelined due to a lat injury.
Matz said the injury was not that painful but feels like he pulled something below his armpit. Sandy Alderson the general manager for the Mets said the doctors told the team there was a strong probability the lat would heal in three weeks.
It is unknown how the rookie injured his lat, as he started as usual on July 5 versus the Dodgers, throwing six innings of shutout baseball.
The starting rotation for New York has been terrific the first half of the season. The team ERA is sixth in the majors at 3.45.
With Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and ace Matt Harvey, the Mets have three top starters. The pitching has been the main cause in helping the Mets battle the Nationals for the NL East title.
