The New York Mets bought one other robust beginning pitching efficiency on Monday in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Paul Blackburn, making his 2025 debut in his ninth MLB season, pitched 5 scoreless innings for the Mets, permitting 4 base runners (three hits, one stroll) in 19 batters confronted. He had three strikeouts, together with two in opposition to Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, the reigning Nationwide League MVP.
He labored his approach out of a jam within the fifth inning, getting Ohtani to floor out to first on a 3-1 pitch with two outs and runners on first and second in a 2-0 sport.
Blackburn turned the primary starter since Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes on Might 10 to not enable a run in opposition to the Dodgers. By way of their first 59 video games, they led the majors in runs per sport (5.8).
Blackburn’s outing was much more exceptional contemplating that lower than a yr in the past, medical professionals weren’t positive he’d ever pitch once more.
Per the New York Put up, Blackburn was recognized with a spinal fluid leak final September, and docs initially advised a probably career-ending surgical procedure to handle the problem. He additionally skilled proper knee irritation in March, forcing him to start the season on the injured listing.
He began 5 video games for the Mets in 2024 after being acquired in a commerce with the Athletics and went 1-2 with a 5.18 earned run common (ERA) in 24.1 innings.
Blackburn’s scoreless 2025 opener continued New York’s distinctive beginning pitching by 60 video games.
In line with FanGraphs information, the Mets entered Monday ranked first within the NL in beginning pitcher ERA (2.91) and solely trailing the Texas Rangers (2.80) for the very best in MLB.
The crew’s pitching has been key to it leaping out to first within the NL East. This season, the Mets have allowed a mean of three.2 runs per sport.
Blackburn added to New York’s robust manufacturing from the mound. The Mets have already got a stable beginning rotation with Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning, but when Blackburn’s outing in opposition to the game’s prime offense is any indication, he may present worthwhile depth the remainder of this season.
