This is the start of the Summer of Syndergaard.
Starting with the first pitch in Thursday’s Opening Day at Citi Field, Noah Syndergaard is out to dominate. He is determined to be No. 1 and carry the Mets to October and beyond.
No one expects more from Syndergaard than he expects from himself. Same goes for the Mets’ other starters, but Syndergaard gets to set the tone Thursday and is ready to get it on with the Cardinals.
“I’m ready to get the ball rolling on this 2018 campaign, this should be a hell of a fine year,’’ Syndergaard said Wednesday at Citi Field on a day Yoenis Cespedes proclaimed the Mets to be “way better” than they were in 2015, when they went to the World Series.
Syndergaard, 25, knows what is riding on Opening Day and the start of the season.
“I think it’s pretty crucial for us to come out of the gates hot and really prove to a lot of people that we are here to compete, and we’re going to have a hell of a year and show we are going to go out there and play classic Mets baseball,’’ Syndergaard said.
This is Syndergaard’s second straight Opening Day start for the Mets, but his season was over soon after Opening Day last year and that’s why it is imperative Syndergaard show staying power this season, the task put in front of him by Mickey Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland.
This is not about one game, one start, one month, it’s about the Summer of Syndergaard, taking his superior stuff to 200 innings pitched.
Callaway has coached two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. He knows what this is all about in his first year as a manager.
He knows what kind of stud he has in Syndergaard. How far away is Syndergaard from being considered in Kluber’s category?
“He’s right there,’’ Callaway said. “Him consistently getting out on the field is probably the only thing that’s missing.
When Noah Syndergaard is pitching and has pitched, he’s dominated. I think he’s done a great job this offseason of implementing some of the things those guys have implemented to put himself in the same category.
“If he can use all the information and go out there and attack hitters with his best stuff he’s going to be a very good pitcher.”
His teammates know how good he can be, there is a fear factor.
“I’ll be honest with you,’’ Todd Frazier said, “I’ve faced him four times and he’s struck me out four times. He’s filthy on the mound. He’s a bulldog. His presence, I think mound presence is huge in baseball, and he gets on the mound and he is raring and ready to go, full tilt. His pitches are devastating. He throws over 100 miles per hour, his changeup is in the low 90s and he’s got other pitches pitchers dream of throwing. So for me I’m just glad to be on his team and play behind him.’’
Last year was a lost year. Syndergaard pitched six shutout innings against the Braves to start the season, but by April 30 his season was essentially done due to a torn lat.
“It feels kind of weird,’’ Syndergaard said. “I had two [late] starts last year, but it didn’t really feel like starts, felt like tune-ups for me. Just take some positivity into the offseason. Yeah, I’m ready to get back out there and hear the crowd, the electricity of all the fans out there, I’m really looking forward to it.’’
Syndergaard mentioned his routine heading into this Opening Day start and then said, “Just another game.’’
It is just another game, one of 162. Until Thor throws that first pitch.
Then it becomes something special. This is the start of something big and this time Syndergaard wants to be here for the whole show.
The goal is simple. Be the best teammate he can be and “once every five days go out there and pitch my ass off and put my team in the best situation to win a ballgame,’’ Syndergaard said.
Welcome to the start of the Summer of Syndergaard.
