Pitch clock may have Mets' older pitchers rattled

At least one National League scout believes some New York Mets starting pitchers are struggling to adapt to the new pitch clock in regular-season action due to their ages. 

"Since their pitching is old, the pitch clock will affect them greatly," the scout told Jon Heyman of the New York Post. "Not only do they have to pitch quickly, but between-inning breaks are shorter, and when the offense is not producing, they get even shorter times to rest." 

Under the new rules, pitchers have 15 seconds when the bases are empty and 20 seconds when a runner is on to start their deliveries or risk being charged with a ball. 

Mets co-ace Max Scherzer had rough sixth innings in his first two starts of the campaign and most recently surrendered three straight home runs in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Scherzer admitted to Heyman that fatigue related to the clock may have contributed to his struggles, but the 38-year-old added it's up to him to adjust as soon as possible. 

"There’s something to that — I don’t know how much," Scherzer explained. "I have to do something about it. I can’t make excuses." 

Carlos Carrasco, 36, received a clock violation before his first pitch and then failed to get out of the fifth inning during Monday's 10-0 defeat in Milwaukee. Per Tim Britton of The Athletic, Carrasco hinted after the fact that he grew tired during his outing in part because of the clock. 

"It is crazy," he said following the loss. "I only have 15 seconds. It is what it is right now." 

Justin Verlander, New York's other ace, is working to recover from a right teres major strain and turned 40 years old in February. In short, Mets starters had better prove age is just a number and soon if the Amazins are to win anything of note this coming fall. 

Pittsburgh Pirates veteran pitcher Rich Hill said before the season that MLB should "just put another five seconds on" the pitch clock to benefit everyone involved. Others have made similar recommendations to Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports since Opening Day. 

"You better figure it out," Mets manager Buck Showalter said Monday about the current clock, "because it’s not going away."