Matz just the way it is
Amazin's need 'streaky' left-hander to stay focused as likely No. 3 starter
One in a series
Steven Matz pitched to a 6.21 ERA in the first inning of games, which included allowing 10 home runs, last season. Somehow, the Mets lefthander still managed a decent season, bolstered by the fact he stayed relatively healthy for a second straight year. But any visions the Mets might have had from years ago about Matz becoming a top-of-the-rotation type starter finally seem to have dissipated. Ideally a back-end starter for a playoff caliber team, Matz likely slots in behind Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman as the No. 3 starter following Noah Syndergaard’s seasonending Tommy John surgery. The other components of that rotation, Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha, are attempting to rebound from disappointing 2019 seasons. Matz, who turns 29 his month, reached 30 starts for the second straight year in finishing 11-10 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.341 WHIP. Maintaining Matz’s focus has been the challenge.
“This kid, you love the kid, he is such a wonderful young man, wonderful human being, you pull so hard for him,” a former team official said. “When things are going good and he gets his confidence, he’s rolling. But if he gets a little bit of turbulence, the wheels can fall off real quick. He’s a guy that is streaky.
“You have to keep his mind right. You have to keep his routine right, he has to understand who he is and what he’s capable of doing and not capable of doing and stay in his lanes.”
A struggling Matz was removed from the rotation before the All-Star break last season and twice pitched from the bullpen. The hiatus from starting might have helped him recover for a second half in which he pitched to a 3.52 ERA and 1.197 WHIP.
“I feel like I got a lot better the last two years,” Matz said in spring training. “Coming into camp I feel a lot more comfortable. I feel like I’m not trying to figure a bunch of stuff out this year. I feel really good.”
Matz, like Syndergaard, can become a free agent after the 2021 season. But Jacob deGrom and Matz are the only healthy Mets starting pitchers under contract or club control beyond this year, so the team is unlikely to trade the left-hander. Matz avoided arbitration in the offseason by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $5 million.
“He’s got a nice fastball and he can cut it a little bit now,” a major league talent evaluator said. “He developed that cutter back in 2018, it’s more of a cutter than a slider. He’s got the real good curveball. His curveball is better than his cutter. A lot of times he’s got a plus changeup, but he’s got to pitch off his fastball command.”
Matz was a much better pitcher at Citi Field than on the road last season. At home he held batters to a .670 OPS. But that number inflated to an .894 OPS on the road. In a feast or famine of sorts, Matz pitched to a 1.80 ERA in his 11 wins and 9.76 ERA in his 10 losses.
The biggest upcoming test might be how Matz handles the first inning. His early misfortune in games included an April start at Philadelphia last season in which he didn’t record an out and allowed eight runs, six of which were earned.
“You take the first inning out and his numbers are a lot better, but he’s streaky,” the former team official said. “But he’s a tremendous athlete. Everybody talks about Noah Syndergaard being a hard worker, Matz is right there with him, he works just as hard. He just doesn’t advertise it, but is probably one of the best athletes on the team. He’s a guy you really pull hard for, but you have to stay with him.”