The pitch clock is a problem for the Mets, and not for the reason you think. Forget the violations, it’s the hurried pace that seems to be killing their vaunted but very veteran starters.
Their rotation was ranked No. 1 by MLB.com to start the year. But they are first in advanced age, too, and time is definitely not on their side.
The pitch timer tests conditioning and will tax the Mets’ 30-something starters more than most (and likely already has), scouts are saying. And it’s not just scouts saying this. Mets co-ace Max Scherzer himself sees the potential problem, too — he gives his take on this developing issue to The Post below.
Conditioning for starting pitchers counts big now that there’s far less time to rest, and though Mets starters are in excellent shape for their ages, a 30-something — especially a late-30-something — isn’t going to be in the condition a 20-something is.
“Since their pitching is old, the pitch clock will affect them greatly,” one NL scout says. “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.”
Mets starter Carlos Carrasco, 36, obviously was tired in the fifth inning in the 10-0 defeat Monday, and he admitted the timer was affecting him. His fastballs, 93 early, suddenly were sub 90.
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Scherzer, 38 was hit hard in the sixth inning of both his starts after mostly dominating early. Tuesday in the 9-0 defeat in Milwaukee, he allowed three straight home runs in the sixth.
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Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana are on the Injured List, but they’re 40 and 34 respectively. So this has a chance to be an issue for them, as well.
Scherzer admitted the theory has merit. But characteristically, he also said he will do whatever it takes to counteract it.
“There’s something to that — I don’t know how much,” Scherzer told The Post. “I have to do something about it. I can’t make excuses.”
One scout suggested older pitchers such as Scherzer may have to be 75-pitch guys, at least for today. Also true to form, Scherzer doesn’t point fingers.
“This is on me,” Scherzer said. “I’m not going to sit here and complain about it.”
The rules — including the pitch timer — were all tested extensively in the minor leagues. But though Scherzer and Verlander are all-time greats, there aren’t 38-year-olds (or 40-year-olds) pitching in the minors. Scherzer noted another difference.
“I’m not blaming anyone. But how many guys are throwing 100 pitches in the minors now? There are severe pitch counts,” Scherzer said.
Scherzer knows he needs to do something, and not to count on any adjustments to the timer, though that isn’t ruled out. But what can he do? “Get in shape,” he said before heading out to run.
