N.Y. Mets: The Four Hurlers of the Metropolis - Thor's Turn

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

GAME FACE!

The Four Hurlers of the Metropolis

Dark Knight  *  deGrominator  *  Thor  *  Mad Matz

WORLD SERIES

Pitching Match-Ups

Royals @ Mets

GAME THREE @ Citi Field

Yordano Ventura

vs.

Noah Syndergaard

Mets Need Thor to Drop His Hammer on Kansas City Royals

It is easy forgetting Noah Syndergaard is just a rookie.  

Game 3 against the Royals at Citi Field will be his 27th overall start at the major league level, and his 3rd of this postseason.  Thor is also poised to pitch Game 7 in Kansas City, if necessary.

In 24 regular season starts, Thor posted a 9-7 record with a 3.24 ERA, and 1.047 WHiP.  He fanned 166 batters in 150 innings pitched for a 10.0 K/9 average, to go along with a 1.9 W/9 average.

He's been even better during the playoffs.  In two starts and one relief appearance, Syndergaard is 1-1 so far with a 2.77 ERA and a 1.077 WHiP.  He has 20 strikeouts in 13 inning pitched, for a 13.8 K/9 average.

Many questioned why Thor pitched in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, and not at Citi Field.  His splits said he was a decidedly better pitcher at home, than on the road this season.  

• HOME: 12 starts, 7-2 record, 84 innings pitched, 2.46 ERA, 0.821 WHiP, 59 hits (10 HR) allowed with a .196 average against, 10 walks, 86 strikeouts with a 9.2 K.9 average.

• AWAY: 12 starts, 2-5 record, 66 innings pitched, 4.23 ERA, 1.333 WHiP, 67 hits (9HR) allowed with a .258 average against, 21 walks, 80 strikeouts with a 10.9 K/9 average.

Syndergaard indeed took the loss at Chavez Ravine, but did not pitch that badly.  In 6.1 innings he allowed three earned runs on five hits and four walks, with nine strikeouts.

And therein lies the rub...

Noah Syndergaard's control is clearly enhanced by the familiarity of Citi Field's mound.  On the road, Thor's rate of walk climbs the rainbow bridge to Asgard.

His second ever postseason start came against the Cubs in the NLCS at Citi Field.  Thor's control improved over his previous start.  In 5.2 inning, he allowed just one earned run on 3 hits and one walk, with another nine strikeouts.

He climbs the mound in Game 3 with the Met down 0-2 in the series to the Royals.  It is safe to say, the Mets are desperate to avoid falling further behind without so much as a victory to speak of.  They need Thor to drop his hammer on the visitors from Kansas City like a young Tom Seaver, or a young Dwight Gooden once did.  That's an awful lot of pressure being place upon a rookie - but a very poised rookie.

Opposing him will be Yordano Ventura, 24, whom finished sixth behind Jacob deGrom in last year's Rookie of the Year balloting.  

The sophomore pitcher started 28 regular season games, in which he posted a 13-8 record with an American League-ish 4.08 ERA.  He struck out 156 batters in 163.1 innings pitched, with a 3.2 W/9 average.

Game 3 will mark his fifth postseason start.  He's so far made two starts each against Houston, then Toronto.  Ventura is 0-1 with three no-decisions.  After 17.2 innings pitched he owns a 5.09 ERA, and a .278 average against, with 21 strikeouts.