In a season that has been completely flipped on its head for the New York Mets, its starting pitching has been off the charts. The Mets offense has been completely anemic since the franchise-best start to open the season. The (not so) Amazins have had the fastest fall from 10 games over .500 to 10 games under .500. Despite having the lowest ERA among starting pitchers in the MLB since May 20 (entering the series against the Diamondbacks), the Mets had a 6-17 record in those 23 games. To put that a little more into perspective, the Mariners’ staff had a 2.85 ERA and an MLB-best 18-5 record.

All Met fans know that the offense stinks, all Met fans know Jacob DeGrom is having a Cy Young worthy campaign in 2018; but I don’t think many Met fans appreciate what Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland have done for Steven Matz and the rest of the rotation so far this season.

Coming into the season, Matz worked with Callaway and Eiland to adjust his pitching motion and delivery. Steven pitched through pain last season and had season-ending surgery, so with that behind him, he decided to tweak some mechanics and take some of the stress off of his arm. The 27-year-old southpaw didn’t start the year on the right foot, but has improved a lot in his last seven starts, and more noticeably in his previous three.

Matz currently sports a 3-4 record with a very average 3.31 ERA. In seven of his 13 starts this year the offense has provided Matz with three or fewer runs. In his four losses so far, the offense has scored one run twice and been shutout the other two times. This is no different than anything the other starters in the rotation have experienced… but Matz is also showing improvement elsewhere.

Matz has pitched exceptionally well with runners on base, to the tune of a .198 opponent batting average with 20 strikeouts and eight double plays induced. He has been nearly lights out when pitching with runners in scoring position, holding opponents to a .211 batting average (12-57) in 13 starts. Since May 24, Matz has the fourth-lowest ERA (minimum 25 IP) among National League pitchers, boasting an impressive 1.88 ERA. Statistically speaking, Steven has been his most effective in his second time through the order (.213 opp. BA, .299 opp. OBP) and the third time through is where he has fallen off.

These stats speak for themselves, but there is always more to it than stats. You can tell by watching that Matz is much more comfortable on the mound than in the past. He has much more confidence in his slider now and has molded it into a useful pitch in his arsenal. The stats show you that he is pitching better with runners on, which is something that isn’t typical of pitchers in the majors. The adjusted delivery plus an improved pickoff move (Steven has thwarted three would-be base stealers this year with his move) has helped Matz exponentially this year. There are definitely places he can improve upon, like going deeper into games (5.0 IP/start), being more in control of his pitches (career-worst 10.3 BB%) and keeping the ball in the ballpark (11 HRs allowed in 13 starts). All in all though, we are seeing a transformation of Steven Matz, among other pitchers for the New York Mets like Wheeler, Gsellman and Lugo, thanks to the addition of pitcher-friendly coaches like Callaway and Eiland. If the pitching continues at this level, and the offense wakes up, this team could still contend in the National League.

Are you all out on the Mets, or do you still have faith? Leave a comment below about what you think or tweet at me with your thoughts!