Mets Pitching Shines Against Astros

Clay Holmes was back on the mound for his second start of the spring against the Houston Astros on Thursday in Port St. Lucie, and he did not disappoint.

Coming off the three scoreless innings he threw last Sunday, Holmes matched that exact output against Houston. He gave up just one hit and walked one batter while striking out two in the Mets’ 5-0 win.

Holmes has proved through these last two outings that he can be a legitimate starter and discussed how he even felt like he could’ve gone at least six innings. The Mets should consider that a great sign considering they’ll need their starters to be able to go deep to save the bullpen.

“I was feeling great, I felt like I was in a great spot to keep going out there and keep pitching,” Holmes said.

Holmes said they used Thursday as a testing day in terms of testing how often he needs to use certain pitches.

“What does the sinker feel like when I back off a little bit, can I still get ground balls on it, what’s the action,” he said.

Holmes said his velocity is still around where it initially was, but for his longevity as a starter, he has been experimenting with how hard and how often to throw certain pitches in order to get through the deeper innings successfully.

Manager Carlos Mendoza also credited Holmes for another great outing.

“I thought he was good again,” Mendoza said. “He attacked the zone, all of his pitches, second time he’s faced this lineup, I thought the sinker was good, he threw some four-seams that were good … Overall another good outing for him.”

Coming off of his first two starts, Holmes is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in six innings pitched this spring. He has given up just one hit, one walk and struck out five over those outings.

After Holmes, the Mets turned to right-handers Griffin Canning, TJ Shook, Max Kranick, Tyler Zuber and Jordan Geber to finish out the last six innings, and they did just last. They held the Astros down and did not give up any runs, combining to allow just three hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Shook (1-0) was credited with the win.

With Frankie Montas‘ injury and most recently Sean Manaea’s, the Mets have a couple spots in the rotation that could be up for grabs, and Canning and Kranick could both factor into that equation in some fashion.

Canning, in 2024, was 6-13 with a 5.19 ERA for the Los Angeles Angels. Over the course of 171 2/3 innings, he struck out 130 hitters and had a WHIP of 1.40.

Thursday was Canning’s spring debut for the Mets, and he tossed a scoreless 1 2/3 innings. He gave up two hits, walked one and struck out two to keep the Astros at bay.

Thursday was Kranick’s second spring appearance. His first was a two-inning start, and while he came out of the bullpen in this one, he continued to perform well and make a case for himself as a depth option in the rotation. Kranick threw another two innings against Houston, this time turning in a hitless performance with two punch outs. He continues to hold a 0.00 ERA as well.

Mendoza expressed that he is impressed with the way Kranick attacks the zone.

“His fastball has life,” said Mendoza. “Once he made that transition to the bullpen last year, his velo ticked up, and that’s what we’re seeing, consistent 95, mid-90’s, constantly attacking, and that’s what you want to see from these guys.”

Mets pitchers have performed well this spring. After losing Manaea and Montas for the time being, the Mets will be looking to some of their offseason additions, as well as Kranick, to be able to step up and help solidify their pitching staff.

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