Clay Holmes has emerged as a key player for the New York Mets, boasting a 1.69 ERA, the second-best in the National League. His performance stands out amid struggles in the team's rotation, with other pitchers facing demotions and injuries.
Clay Holmes Is A Gamble Paying Off Big In Back Of Mets Struggling Rotation
The New York Mets took a gamble with the back end of their starting rotation going into this season, and it hasnāt been going all that well so far. Sean Manaea has been demoted to the bullpen, Kodai Senga is hurt again, and David Peterson has been reduced to having an opener in front of him as his status as a starter continues to teeter.
One pitcher has paid off, however, and thatās Clay Holmes. Heās been the Metsā best starter to date, and heās performing like āone of the top starters in baseball,ā which is what GM David Stearns said about Freddy Peralta when the Mets traded for him. Thereās some irony there, but the Mets are grateful that Holmes has come through for them.
The numbers tell the story to some extent. According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Holmes ERA is now down to 1.69, which ranks second in the National League and behind only Justin Wrobleski of the Dodgers.
āHeās just on another level right now physically, mentally, the way heās making adjustments in games, the way heās using his pitches, trusting his defense when he needs to,ā Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. āOverall from Clay, solid.ā
Some of the Angels hitters he faced yesterday were impressed, too. The Angels have a power-packed lineup that can mash when they get going, but yesterday Holmes shut them down.
Clay Holmes has an ERA of 1.69, ranking second in the National League.
The Mets' rotation has struggled due to Sean Manaea's demotion, Kodai Senga's injury, and David Peterson's inconsistent performance.
Clay Holmes has been the Mets' best starter this season, performing at a level comparable to the top starters in baseball.
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āHolmes has definitely been tough to start the year,ā added Angels outfielder Jo Adell.
The Mets right-hander doesnāt fit the typical profile of a successful starter in todayās game. He relies on a sinker that has given him the third-best ground ball rate in baseball at 58.1 percent, and Holmes doesnāt strike out that many hitters.
But pitching to contact allows Holmes to go deep into games when heās right. The Mets have had just three games where the starter has gone seven innings, and two of those belong to Holmes.
He gets outs, wins and innings, which is a formidable combination even if itās not valued s much. Even more telling, hitters have an average of just .167 against Holmes in the fifth inning and beyond, which is remarkable.
No one knows if Holmes can continue to perform at this level, but thereās no doubt that heās a high-quality pitcher who provides enormous value. Heās upped his usage of the sinker, and thatās paying off with a new level of results.
āItās kind of a comfort thing,ā Holmes said. āThe trust with the sinker was always there, but I feel like especially now, I just feel like thereās a lot of confidence and trust in the sinker. ⦠When I have that, I feel like Iām really able to pitch off it and feel like myself and pitch with some confidence.ā