Clay Holmes Is Competing To Be Mets Ace In A Surprising Pitching Development

Clay Holmes Is Competing To Be Mets Ace In A Surprising Pitching Development

When fans and experts discussed the New York Mets pitching staff going into this season, the focus was on the one-two punch at the top of the rotation that would come from starters Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean. They’ve both had their moments, McLean especially, but the pitcher who’s been outdoing them so far is Clay Holmes.

Holmes took a tough 2-1 loss last night agains the Arizona Diamondbacks, but his ERA is just 1.86 with a WHIP of 1.01, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, and he’s holding hitters to a .190 batting average.

He’s allowed two runs or less in all eight of his starts this season, and that run has put him in unique company, breaking the record of seven that was shared Johan Santana and Nolan Ryan. Holmes knows what his formula for success is, and he’s been able to employ it consistently.

“When I'm in the zone and don’t give free passes, I set myself up for success,” Holmes said. “Between the sinker, changeup, curveball and sweeper, I should be able to get guys on the ground and really limit the damage.”

Sinkerball pitchers typically don’t get a lot of respect, but Holmes has that from his manager, as the starter is building on last year’s numbers of 12-8 with a 3.53 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 31 starts.

“There’s a lot to like from him,” said Carlos Mendoza. “I like his ability to get ground balls, his ability to make pitches when he needs to, his ability to slow the game down, his understanding of the situation, attacking hitters, and getting strike one using the sinker.”