Tylor Megill Roughed Up Again in Loss to Brewers

Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

With the Mets quickly approaching being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, these final games will be used to assess what the team has and make decisions for the future of the organization. Tylor Megill is one Met who has the most to play for as the 2021 season comes to an end.

Megill came out of nowhere to become a steady member in the rotation. With all the uncertainty surrounding how the Mets offseason will look, it is no sure thing that he will have a spot in the 2022 rotation despite the early success he had. After getting hit hard in his most recent start against the Cardinals, Megill looked to bounce back on Friday night in Milwaukee against the Brewers.

Megill took the mound with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but surrendered it immediately when Kolten Wong led off with a home run to right center. Christian Yelich drew a walk following a fly out from Willy Adames, but Megill held the Brewers there by getting Avisaíl García to ground into a fielders choice before striking out Omar Narváez.

Megill found himself in quick trouble to start the second inning when Eduardo Escobar and Daniel Vogelbach hit the first two pitches of the inning for back-to-back hard singles. The trouble was quickly averted when Lorenzo Cain hit what looked like a tailor made triple play ball right at Jonathan Villar at third base, but the 35-year-old centerfielder still runs well, and Javier Báez did not attempt a throw to first for the third out. Eric Lauer grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

The lead off batter reached base against Megill for the third consecutive inning when Wong walked to start the third inning, and Adames quickly made Megill pay with a two-run home run to center. Yelich followed with a home run of his own. After retiring García on a line out and Narváez on a fly out, Megill walked Escobar and retired Vogelbach on a fly out to escape with just the three runs scoring.

The fourth inning began with Megill walking Cain to once again put the lead off runner on base. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Lauer and moved to third on fly out to Jeff McNeil at the wall in left field from Wong. Megill struck out Adames to strand Cain at third and finish his night with his first hitless inning of the night.

Megill’s final line: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K.

The long ball has been the biggest factor in Megill’s struggles lately, as he has allowed 12 home runs over his last six starts. Including his time in the minor leagues, Megill is up to 125 innings pitched on the season. He threw just 71 2/3 innings in 2019 and was at the Mets’ alternate site in 2020 due to there being no minor league season. Even though Megill and Luis Rojas did not want to attribute his struggles to his increased workload in 2021, it is fair to wonder if it at least plays a role.

Megill has always been a pitcher to attack hitters in the zone, and he has had success in the majors with that approach. His pitches are missing over the heart of the plate much more often during this run, and when he struggles to control his changeup without a strong third pitch, most MLB hitters will jump all over those fastballs that catch too much plate.

“I think the stuff is there,” Rojas said. “The league adjusts quick.”

Despite the recent struggles, Megill has proven to be a very valuable asset for the Mets in 2021, and he can continue to be in the future. While a spot in the Opening Day rotation likely won’t be his to win baring any injuries, Megill has earned the right to compete for a spot next spring. The Mets had injuries throughout their rotation this year, and with uncertainty surrounding next year’s rotation, having a pitcher who can step in and give the team a chance to win like he has this season will be extremely valuable if the Mets want to avoid another disappointing season.

Even if he doesn’t make next year’s Opening Day rotation, having a pitcher like Megill available to fill in if needed will be important for the Mets. He will have one last start this season against Marlins to make his case for 2022.

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