Thorsday Throwdown

The look in Noah Syndergaard's eye was palpable. He was a man on a mission. Livid with his performance up until that point of the season, the man nicknamed Thor was clean-shaven and had his hair down, his "man bun" a point of contention with some fans on Twitter throughout the first few starts. The offense had been putrid against the rebuilding Reds, so Thor was going to have to take all matters into his own hands.

Brad Penner/ USA Today Sports
Photo via nytimes.com

I got a chance to watch this gem at the Barnwood Restaurant in Catskill, NY. This was only the second game all season I was able to watch live, the other one a gem from Steven Matz against the Phillies. So far, I've been able to see two Mets pitchers at the top of their games, this most recent one with Noah at the top on both sides of the ball. Only a handful of players in the history of baseball have homered in a 1-0 shutout, and Noah was the first time anyone has since 1983.

Sometimes, the best pitch you are going to get as a batter is that first one. The pitcher sometimes lollygags it over, especially against the opposing mound thrower. Syndergaard's track record with power should provide an example that you cannot just casually toss a fastball in and expect it to be the first strike of the at bat. The home run was monstrous as well, carrying a few rows deep over the original Great Wall of Flushing.

Why the Mets cannot coincide the pitching turnaround of the last few games with some run support is not necessarily beyond me because...well...we've seen this story play out before. Though the W-L record has been basically .500 during that stretch, the fact the starting pitchers are coming around can only mean good things for this Mets baseball team...right?

Before I go, I've got to give a shoutout to Tim Healey of Newsday for his fantastic appearance on A Metsian Podcast last night. Thrilled we could pick his brain about this team and we welcome him back anytime in the future. Give a listen whenever you get a chance.

Now, off to Milwaukee...brew up some wins, Mets.

BREW. THE. BREW. CREW.

LET'S. GO. METS.