Megill takes a big step in his first start of the year. Plus, excellent pitching, some clutch early hitting and Juan Soto's first home run help the Mets get up and running in Houston...
Such an important start for Tyler. But you're spot on, Andrew: it's all about consistency. His stuff is ridiculous, but he needs to really find it to make the most of it.
One thing which really encourages me is the adjustment he made last year. In the early going, he was landing on the ball of his plant foot and trying to get everything to tumble over a stiff front leg. He even got into kind of a recoil effect at times which really brought his stuff up in the zone.
After he came back up last year, his plant foot was flat and he was able to get the ball down better. And this year, he's even a little lower, a little more into drop-and-drive, with his plant foot totally flat. The only recoil is a little hop to the left when he snaps off a slider instead of a bounce back in the opposite direction from the plate.
Hopefully, all that adds up to a simpler, more repeatable delivery and more consistency. Certainly none of the adjustments made any difference in his stuff. It's all right there.
I didn’t think that DP that Baty turned was anything more than routine. Conversely, I think he also makes the play that Acuna made in the 8th. The issue with Acuna was evident in Spring Training, was voiced by Lindor, and was the reason for his costly error in Game 1. He’s not bringing the intensity and focus. He’s incredibly gifted but relies on his skills versus concentration and technique to get the job done. His throwing error on the DP in Game 1 was all about him taking the play for granted and whipping the ball across his body versus taking the time to plant his foot and make a solid throw. The announcers gave him the benefit of doubt that he was rushing, but I think it was more lack of focus. Lindor’s already called him out for playing “bored.” If that’s not a wake-up call I don’t know what else is.
Good for Tyler. now his goal can be to get through 6 innings like he pitched yesterday.
Great day for us Megill fans. Great day for the bullpen as well.
Such an important start for Tyler. But you're spot on, Andrew: it's all about consistency. His stuff is ridiculous, but he needs to really find it to make the most of it.
One thing which really encourages me is the adjustment he made last year. In the early going, he was landing on the ball of his plant foot and trying to get everything to tumble over a stiff front leg. He even got into kind of a recoil effect at times which really brought his stuff up in the zone.
After he came back up last year, his plant foot was flat and he was able to get the ball down better. And this year, he's even a little lower, a little more into drop-and-drive, with his plant foot totally flat. The only recoil is a little hop to the left when he snaps off a slider instead of a bounce back in the opposite direction from the plate.
Hopefully, all that adds up to a simpler, more repeatable delivery and more consistency. Certainly none of the adjustments made any difference in his stuff. It's all right there.
I didn’t think that DP that Baty turned was anything more than routine. Conversely, I think he also makes the play that Acuna made in the 8th. The issue with Acuna was evident in Spring Training, was voiced by Lindor, and was the reason for his costly error in Game 1. He’s not bringing the intensity and focus. He’s incredibly gifted but relies on his skills versus concentration and technique to get the job done. His throwing error on the DP in Game 1 was all about him taking the play for granted and whipping the ball across his body versus taking the time to plant his foot and make a solid throw. The announcers gave him the benefit of doubt that he was rushing, but I think it was more lack of focus. Lindor’s already called him out for playing “bored.” If that’s not a wake-up call I don’t know what else is.
I see a lot of usage of the pen with a bunch of 5+ inning pitchers who sometimes won't even last 5.