Mets reliever Drew Smith superstitiously drinks a Red Bull and takes two Advil before pitching

Drew Smith is emerging as a reliable reliever for the Mets, and he’s giving kudos to teammate Tylor Megill for a new in-game routine that has provided the “wings” for his success.

Smith carried a 0.00 ERA that dates back to spring training into Friday’s series opener against the Phillies. The 28-year-old right-hander has not given up a run across three exhibition games and eight regular-season relief outings, a total of 10.1 scoreless innings.

Due to that early-season success, Smith is reluctant to part ways with an energy drink/painkiller program that has so far worked for him – a routine he borrowed from Mets pitcher Megill. Once Megill started throwing career-high 99 mph fastballs this spring, Smith asked the Mets starter how he was able to increase his velocity.

“Where did that come from?” Smith asked Megill. “He was like, ‘You drink Red Bull?’”

Smith told Megill he does drink Red Bull, but he opts for the sugar-free version of the energy drink. Megill informed Smith, “That’s where you’re messing up.” Ever since, Smith switched to the regular, original version of Red Bull and he paired it with another Megill-influenced remedy: two Advil liqui gels.

Now, Smith said his pre- and in-game routine is simple. He takes two Advil liqui gels before every game. Then he drinks one Red Bull in the top of the third inning – not a moment before, not a moment after – in the bullpen. And then depending on how Smith is feeling, he might take another Advil during the game, around the time he may be needed to pitch in relief.

“I’m hardcore on that,” Smith said of the Red Bull/Advil combo that he refers to as The Megill Program. “It’s probably a superstition kind of thing. If it’s working, why change it?”

Hey, whatever works. Smith is one of 11 relievers in the majors to have tossed at least eight scoreless innings. He’s held opposing batters to a .143 batting average to go along with that perfect ERA. Both the righty and his manager, Buck Showalter, like how Smith’s changeup is playing against opposing hitters. Smith entered Friday having thrown 13 changeups, all to left-handed hitters, and no one has gotten a hit off it yet. Smith’s 40% whiff rate on his changeup is his highest among others in a five-pitch arsenal.

Smith may not be throwing 99 mph fastballs like Megill, but he has seen an uptick in velocity (96 mph this season) that he mostly credits to having the confidence to throw harder being three years removed from Tommy John surgery.

“I’d like to think the Advil helps,” Smith quipped.

()