New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom was far from completely unhittable during Tuesday's 4-1 home loss to the Chicago Cubs but nevertheless still managed to produce some eye-popping numbers:
Jacob deGrom has tied an MLB record with his 39th straight start allowing 3 or fewer earned runs. pic.twitter.com/853H3eZySP
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) September 14, 2022
Most consecutive starts of 8+ strikeouts and 1 or fewer walks (since 1893)
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 14, 2022
2021 Corbin Burnes: 7
2022 Jacob deGrom: 7 (active) pic.twitter.com/QtSymFoJ68
The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner missed the second half of the 2021 season because of lingering elbow issues and was then sidelined through July of this year due to a stress reaction in the scapula of his pitching shoulder. Thus far, deGrom has mostly looked like his old self during his latest return from the injured list, and he began Wednesday holding a 5-2 record with a 2.01 ERA and 73 strikeouts over 49.1 innings of work on the campaign.
The 34-year-old let it be known in March he intends to opt out of his current contract after this season, and it was reported earlier this month that knowledgeable individuals in the baseball community expect he'll eventually put pen to paper on a deal similar to the three-year, $130 million contract Max Scherzer signed with the Mets last fall.
For a piece published Wednesday morning, ESPN's Jeff Passan suggested that deGrom's upcoming agreement may top what Scherzer received.
"There is an argument to be made that this version of deGrom, 34, belongs in the pantheon of all-time greats," Passan explained. "When he pitches, he is that much better than everyone else. And though concerns about his ability to do so long-term persist, deGrom, if he stays healthy through the end of the season, almost assuredly will break Max Scherzer's annual-salary record of $43.3 million."
The harsh truth of the matter is that pockets of Mets fans hold their breaths just about each time deGrom throws a pitch considering his lengthy and worrisome injury history. It appears certain executives throughout MLB may find themselves doing the same through the fall's postseason tournament.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!