Tylor Megill Stepping Up in September

It’s been a thrill to watch Tylor Megill take the hill.

Pressed into the fifth-starter role after an injury to Paul Blackburn, Megill has responded by pitching to a 1.69 ERA covering 21.1 innings over four starts. That includes his latest performance in a 10-1 victory Tuesday over the Washington Nationals. He tossed 6 innings while allowing one unearned run, two hits and two walks. He fanned four and retired the last 10 men he faced.

It’s been a nice run for Megill in an uneven season. A shoulder injury sidelined the 29-year-old after his first start in March and he spent portions of the season at Triple-A Syracuse. His June ERA was 7.43 over five starts. Megill’s perseverance left Pete Alonso impressed.

“The way that he’s handled his business all year,” the first baseman said. “He’s really bounced back in such a tremendous way. Every time he’s taken the ball, he’s had moxie, he’s had poise and he’s executed. It’s been unbelievable. He’s really throwing the ball really, really well for us. I hope he keeps doing it. It’s been really fun to watch.”

Megill partly credits the recent success to throwing more two-seam fastballs.

“I think it’s helped a lot,” he said. “I think now hitters kind of have to respect inside. And it opens up away. And now can’t really dive over the plate like they used to. It keeps them honest. I think it just elevates my arsenal a little more. And I think that the swings aren’t really more as comfortable in a way, just not knowing which way the ball is going to end up going.”

Megill kept the Nats off balance with the exception of the third inning when he walked two and couldn’t get out of a jam that was made more difficult by a Luisangel Acuña error at shortstop. Still, with runners at second and third and two outs, he struck out Luis García Jr. to escape, allowing just one unearned run. The Nats led 1-0, but the Mets answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame.

“The third inning, ran into some difficulty, just getting behind,” Megill said. “Then after the third, settled back in, got some run support. And then, you know, just kept firing it in there. Get ahead of the hitters and kept the ball in play.”

Megill’s teammates have all pitched like aces of late. In 18 starts since Aug. 29, New York starters have a 1.93 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 13 quality starts. A breakdown:

– Jose Quintana, 0.48 ERA, 18.2 IP, 16 Ks (3 starts)

– Megill, 1.69 ERA, 21.1 IP, 22 Ks (4 starts)

– Sean Manaea, 1.98 ERA, 27.1 IP, 28 Ks (4 starts)

– Luis Severino, 2.29 ERA, 19.2 IP, 18 Ks (3 starts)

– David Peterson, 2.88 ERA, 25 IP, 23 Ks (4 starts)

The Mets are 14-4 in this stretch.

“Obviously, we’re right there,” Megill said, referring to the playoff race. “Got to keep playing the way that we are right now. The job every time is to go out, is compete. Just give the team the best chance to win that night. So yeah definitely proud, happy to be pitching well and to compete with these guys. It’s been a lot of fun. Having a lot of fun, just keep it going.”

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