• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Mets Take Opening Series Against Washington, Start the Year 2-1

WASHINGTON DC – The New York Mets have gotten a lot of attention heading into the 2015 MLB season. With the return of their ace Matt Harvey, there are greater expectations from this team that won 79 games last year. Michael Cuddyer was acquired in the offseason, and looks to make contributions for the Mets with his bat, as well as his experiences at many positions in the field. With these two players in uniform alongside a solid young core led by Terry Collins, the Mets could make a playoff berth for the first time since 2006.

The Mets looked strong during their spring training, and kept the good play up as they were able to take 2 out of 3 games, in their opening series against the Washington Nationals. Many analysts have the Nationals as the frontrunner to repeat as NL East Champions. Taking 2 of 3 games on the road against the reigning division champs, is very encouraging for an opening series to start the season. They won the first game 3-1. and last game of the series 6-3.

New York’s starting pitching is what had been really impressive to see in Washington. They got quality starts from all three starters (Harvey, Colon, and DeGrom).

Bartolo Colon did a great job, picking up a Game 1 win in a pitching duel against Max Scherzer. Colon only allowed 1 run, which was a homer to Bryce Harper in the bottom off the 4th. He went 6.0 innings, and only surrendered 1 walk and gave up only 3 hits. Colon looks to have picked up right where he left of last season, which is impressive for the 41 year old.

Jacob DeGrom struggled a little in his first start of the season, but showed grit by fighting through adversity and giving the Mets a quality start. In Game 2 of the series, he gave up 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 6.0 innings. The Mets would lose 2-1, and he received a loss last Wednesday. His velocity was up however, and he was able to strike out 6 National batters.

Credit: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images ... Harvey pitching during the 3rd inning against the Nationals
Credit: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images … Harvey pitching during the 3rd inning against the Nationals

Matt Harvey had the most impressive start of the series. Harvey had his 1st start since coming off Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for most of last season. In 6.0 innings in Game 3, Harvey only allowed 4 hits and surrendered just 1 walk. He dominated the Nationals and picked up 9 strikeouts to get a win in his first start of the season. He looked confident and more importantly, he looked healthy. Harvey showed command of his pitches, and didn’t look like someone who was just coming off surgery.

The Mets batters were able to provide their pitchers with run support, which had been a problem in previous years. Aside from Game 2 where they only managed 1 run against Jordan Zimmermann and company, the Mets scored at least 3 runs in each of the other two games. The Mets were 7 for 20 with runners in scoring position this series, and got 2 out RBI’s from both Travis D’Arnaud and Lucas Duda.

Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports ... The Mets catcher D'Arnaud has hit well to start the season
Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports … The Mets catcher D’Arnaud has hit well to start the season

D’Arnaud has hit particularly well to start the season. He has two multi hit games, and had hit in all games of the series against Washington.

New York’s next challenge will be a 3 game series on the road against the Atlanta Braves, starting Friday.

Barry Holmes/Pure Sports NY

By Barry Holmes

Graduate of Millersville University, with a BS in Communications focused in Broadcast. Senior Writer & Social Media Manager for PureSportsNY.

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