Cubs ace Arrieta opposes Syndergaard in Game 2 of NLCS
At this late stage in the season, a rested starting pitcher is much more likely to pass his playoff test.
Heading into Game 2 of the National League championship series, Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta appears to have the edge here.
The favorite to win National League Cy Young Award honors after going 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA while posting a historic 0.75 ERA in the second half of the season, Arrieta pitched a complete-game shutout to spark the Cubs to a 4-0 win over the Pirates in the wild-card game before finally hitting the wall in the NL Division Series.
Taking the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of the NLDS at Wrigley Field Monday, Arrieta lasted just 5⅔ innings and allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks.
Arrieta had every right to be tired after logging 238 innings through the wild-card game, but the 29-year-old pitcher said mental fatigue might have been a bigger factor.
“The physical toll really hasn't bothered me at all,” Arrieta told reporters at New York's Citi Field Saturday. “But I think that the mental side of it and all the energy you burn leading up to the game does have a little bit of an effect. But having a couple of these under my belt now, I'm pretty confident going in that I'll be able to handle that pretty well.”
In a slight surprise, the Mets announced rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard is going to get the ball in Game 2.
Syndergaard, who made his major-league debut against the Cubs on May 12 at Wrigley and took the loss after pitching 5⅓ innings and allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks, will be closely watched this time around.
After starting Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Syndergaard pitched 1 inning of relief against Los Angeles in the deciding Game 5.
Terry Collins had Syndergaard warm up four times before bringing him in the game, and the Mets' manager initially estimated the 23-year-old Texan threw 100 pitches in the bullpen.
Syndergaard disagrees.
“Each time I got up, I only threw seven to nine pitches each time,” said Syndergaard, who pitched a scoreless inning of relief against the Dodgers while throwing 17 pitches. “I didn't mind it. I felt like I handled it well and got advice from some of the veteran guys down there.
“My body and my arm have never felt better so that's what I told (Collins) and I'm ready to go.”
With Syndergaard scheduled to go to the post in Game 2, New York's rotation is set for the rest of the NLCS.
Jacob deGrom is going to pitch Game 3 at Wrigley Tuesday night, followed by Steven Matz in Game 4.
If necessary, the Mets can use young guns Matt Harvey, Syndergaard and deGrom in Games 5-7.
“I feel like we've all dreamed of this moment right here, and we're all extremely blessed to be here,” Syndergaard said. “We know that our pitching staff is all fairly young, but that's something that we're able to feed off of.”
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