NEW YORK — Frankie Montas was all smiles in the Mets clubhouse on May 23, the day before New York secured a series win against the formidable Dodgers. Montas, sidelined with a high-grade lat strain since March, was set to begin a rehabilitation assignment at High-A Brooklyn, excited to be back on the mound for his new team.
However, Montas’s happiness stemmed not just from his return but also from the stellar performance of the pitching rotation. Despite injuries, the Mets’ rotation has performed exceptionally well this season.
“We’re a family,” Montas expressed to CBS Sports. “Someone’s got to step up, and fortunately, we had those guys.” The Mets’ pitching staff boasts a 2.91 ERA over 59 games, positioning them second in MLB, just behind Texas, and has managed a 23.5% strikeout rate with a .226 opponents’ batting average.
In addition to Montas, the rotation has been missing Sean Manaea and Paul Blackburn, who is set to make his 2025 debut against the Dodgers. Other players like Clay Holmes, Griffin Canning, Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill, and David Peterson have all stepped up to fill the gaps.
During a challenging series against Los Angeles, the Mets’ starters allowed only six runs across three games. David Peterson shined with a 7⅔ inning performance, conceding just two earned runs. Following a prolonged rain delay the night before, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza required a deep outing, and Peterson responded by leaving the mound to a warm ovation.
The Mets then went on to post a 5-1 record over the next week against the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies, with contributions from Megill, Senga, Peterson, and Holmes. Although Senga and Peterson have experience, Canning and Holmes have been pleasant surprises for the Mets. Canning’s improved performance includes a higher swing-and-miss rate on his fastball and a solid ground-ball pitching tendency, while Holmes successfully transitioned from a reliever to a starter with a respectable 3.07 ERA in his 12 starts.
With a strong lineup anchored by players like Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor, the Mets currently boast one of the best run differentials in baseball, leading the NL East. However, concerns remain regarding the sustainability of this performance as the season progresses, particularly with Holmes approaching a career-high in innings pitched and the rotation’s ability to handle increased offensive pressure as the summer heat sets in.
