Amazin' Avenue - Mets playoffs: NLDS Game 4 vs. Dodgers, Steven Matz vs. Clayton KershawLove the Metshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46695/amazinavenue-fave.png2015-10-14T22:12:29-04:00http://www.amazinavenue.com/rss/stream/92788442015-10-14T22:12:29-04:002015-10-14T22:12:29-04:00Episode 146: NLDS Game 4
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<p>WELP</p> <p>Run Time: 37:40</p>
<p>In Amazin' Avenue Audio's NLDS Game 4 recap, well, things didn't go to Terry Collins (also our) plan, so the Mets are headed out West for a do or die Game 5, whch hopefully won't be as crazy as Blue Jays/Rangers. We tip out hat to Clayton Kershaw (though we wish he could have waited another year to smash some #narrative) and talk about how we are coping with the impending Game 5. Fortunaely the Mets have one bad hombre on the mound. Next, we answer your e-mails about America's favorite shorstops and suitable punishments for Chase Utley. Finally, we wrap things up with a slightly concerning IFK Goteborg update.</p>
<p>As always, you can listen or subscribe to the podcast through <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/amazin-avenue-audio-new-york/id466679255">iTUNES</a>, find us on the stitcher app, listen through the embedded player below, or download the podcast directly from <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amazinavenue">Blog Talk Radio.</a></p>
<p>And don't forget you can e-mail the show at podcast@amazinavenueaudio.com, and we'll be back for a Game 5 recap (eep) tomorrow night.</p>
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https://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/10/14/9536103/amazin-avenue-audio-new-york-mets-podcast-playoffs-nlds-game-4Jeffrey Paternostro2015-10-14T11:04:54-04:002015-10-14T11:04:54-04:00Clayton Kershaw was "unhittable" in Game 4
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<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With the season on the line, Clayton Kershaw shut down the Mets lineup. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> needed a stellar performance from <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> last night in order to keep their season alive, and they got one from their ace. Whatever narrative there was about Kershaw's inability to pitch in the postseason went away after the reigning NL MVP put together seven innings of one run baseball. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> were befuddled but <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/kershaw-dodgers-top-mets-3-1-force-nlds-to-decisive-game-5-1444792544">impressed</a>.</p>
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<p><span>"I don’t think anybody was going to out-pitch Clayton Kershaw tonight," Wright said.</span></p>
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<p>On three days' rest, Kershaw kept the Mets hitting off-balance the entire night; the only blemish on his résumé being a <span>Daniel Murphy</span> home run in the fourth inning. Kershaw was painting the corners and when he did make mistakes, the Mets were only able to foul them off and not capitalize on opportunities.</p>
<p>Now the Mets will have to travel back to L.A. and take on <span>Zack Greinke</span> in a winner-take-all Game 5. The Mets will counter Greinke with their ace, <span>Jacob deGrom</span>.</p>
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<p><span>"It would have been nice to win here," catcher Travis d’Arnaud said. "But we’re happy to get one. It’s going to be a fun and exciting Game 5, and I’m sure everyone’s going to be real antsy and ready to play."</span></p>
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https://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/10/14/9529993/mets-postseason-dodgers-clayton-kershawChris Schubert2015-10-14T10:59:06-04:002015-10-14T10:59:06-04:00Video highlights of the Mets' 3-1 NLDS Game 4 loss
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<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Some of the moments from last night's loss game at Citi Field.</p> <p>Last night, <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> got the best of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>. Over seven innings, the Mets were held to just one run in a 3-1 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in Game 4 of the NLDS. The series is all squared at two heading back to L.A. for Game 5 on Thursday night.</p>
<p>For the Mets, <span>Steven Matz</span> got the ball to make his first career postseason start. One bad inning in the third led to all three Dodgers runs, more than Kershaw would need. In front of his parents and a roaring Citi Field crowd, Matz was able to finish off five innings, keeping the Mets in the game.</p>
<p>There was another <span>Bartolo Colon</span> relief appearance and he was stellar once again, this time keeping the Dodgers scoreless over two innings.</p>
<p>It wasn't an ideal night for the Mets and their fans, but they move on to a do-or-die Game 5 on Thursday night. Here are some of the highlights from last night.</p>
<p>Here's Matz picking up his first career postseason strikeout.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://m.mets.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=522747383&topic_id=8879230&width=400&height=224&property=mlb" width="400" height="224" frameborder="0">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p>
<p><span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> got the Dodgers on the board first with an RBI single, with the support of Magic Johnson.</p>
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<p>They padded their lead with a two-run double from former Met and current tormentor <span>Justin Turner</span>.</p>
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<p>The lone run from the Mets came off the bat of <span>Daniel Murphy</span>, who hit his second home run of the series. In the regular season, Murphy hit one home run against lefties all year. In this series he has hit two, both off of Kershaw.</p>
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<p>The seventh inning has been the trouble spot for Kershaw in his postseason career, and it appeared as though it was happening again after he misplayed this <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> grounder. But to no avail as the Mets couldn't take advantage of the miscue.</p>
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<p>Kershaw got some help defensively from both Justin Turner and <span>Corey Seager</span>.</p>
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<p><span>David Wright</span> made a nice play in foul territory to end the top of the eighth.</p>
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<p><span>Kenley Jansen</span> entered with two outs in the bottom of the eighth and earned the four-out save to seal the win for the Dodgers.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=522837483&topic_id=6479266&width=400&height=224&property=mlb" width="400" height="224" frameborder="0">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p>
<p>It's never easy being a Mets fan, so a Game 5 should probably have been assumed. Off to L.A. for <span>Jacob deGrom</span> vs. <span>Zack Greinke</span> for all the marbles.</p>
https://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/10/14/9530095/mets-postseason-dodgers-game-4-video-highlightsChris Schubert2015-10-14T02:13:28-04:002015-10-14T02:13:28-04:00Recap: Mets lose, forced to return to crime scene
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<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Mets fans' voodoo was unable to sway the baseball gods in this 3-1 loss, so there will be a Game 5 in this very contentious edition of the NLDS.</p> <p>When Curtis Granderson reached on a walk with two outs in the eighth to bring up <span>David Wright</span> as the tying run in a 3-1 game, every <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> fan with a modicum of superstition was doing their thing.</p>
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<p>As a member of a fact-based site, I still from time-to-time indulge a vestigial sense of superstition, which is specifically reserved for baseball. So yeah, I had the rally cap working overtime, and was hanging Mets gang signs to block the glare off the window so I could see the TV screen clearly as I chain-smoked outside. I had my middle three fingers up (ostensibly for "Wright" and "The Win"), and that seemed to work as he managed to hold up on a 2-2 offering that may or may not have been a foul tip. It was still working when Dubs took ball four, setting off histrionics from me and many others around Metsdom, while bringing to bat the source of the Mets' only run so far.</p>
<p>So with <span>Daniel Murphy</span> up, I just inverted my fingers ("M" for "Murph" and "Mets"), and it looked pretty mean, I gotta say. Despite my better judgement and status as a reformed smoker, I continued to risk my health and chain-smoke in the hopes of bringing the well-known chain-smoker <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> to the plate.</p>
<p>Tight playoff games are a risk to everyone's health anyway, right? (Or enter your favored self-justification here.)</p>
<p>Well, as I'm sure you're aware, all the gestures and gyrations and gesticulations resulted in no avail tonight. Murphy flew out to end the inning, and then <span>Kenley Jansen</span> tore through the heart of our order and our fans in the ninth to make sure there would be a fifth and deciding game to this series.</p>
<p>Those are the facts; hard to swallow at first, yes. But this Mets team has soared over the last couple of months with grit and heart and clutchtitude, and that's what it's going to take to win this next game—not the countless desperate flailings and enchanted spells cast by the many, thousands of miles away. Even our beloved stats built up over the past 166 games are rendered mute by the upcoming one-game showdown. A ball, a bat, some gloves, and how effectively they are wielded on the vast tapestry of green and dirt will determine the outcome. Let's go.</p>
<p>It will come down to two of the best pitchers out there, and a bunch of the best hitters on the planet. This is their job. They're not likely to lose their minds, even though we might.</p>
<p>In fact, even when many of us thought Terry Collins had lost his (insert your favored euphemism here) mind by having <span>Jacob deGrom</span> warming up in the bullpen in the fifth inning, that move might have benefits. It gave the Game 5 starter his last regularly-scheduled throwing session, and let deGrom soak in the pressure-packed atmosphere. Might as well get him as comfortable as he's going to get with it. Was this Terry the clubhouse guru in action, and not just the guy afraid of his bullpen?</p>
<p>We'll never know, until we know all, forty-eight short hours from now.</p>
<p>We do know that rookie <span>Steven Matz</span>, in his sixth big-league game, looked calmer than he ever has from the outset—now, when he had the chance to pitch his lifelong-favorite team to the NLCS. He was ready tonight, snapping off wicked curves and 95 MPH heat to match the all-world <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> (who you had to know would be tough to beat twice in a row, even on three days rest).</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">It was Kershaw himself who got the first hit off Matz in the fateful third inning. It was the only frame where Matz made more than one mistake, and Los Angeles took full advantage. At bat with one out, Kershaw managed to stay alive by nicking a 2-2 heater, and then hung in on the ensuing questionable curveball call and laced it to left for a single.<span> </span>Enrique Hernandez hit a slow roller to second which wiped out Kershaw, but the speedier Hernandez got a big jump on an 0-2 pitch to <span>Howie Kendrick</span> and got to third on a ground single up the middle.<span> </span>Matz jammed <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span>, but the veteran’s dying quail dropped into center field for an RBI.<span> </span>The young hurler then hung a 2-0 curve to Turncoat McRedbeard (a.k.a. <span>Justin Turner</span>), who ripped it into the left-field corner.<span> </span>Yoenis Cespedes bobbled the ball, allowing the lumbering Gonzalez to score all the way from first, and suddenly the Mets were down 3-0.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That was all Matz and the Mets would allow, but it was all the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> needed. Murphy rocked Kershaw for a fourth-inning home run for the second time this series, but New York would manage little else the rest of the way, scratching out only two more hits. The estranged Turner continued to do his bit, snuffing a would-be rally in Kershaw's seventh and final inning by snagging a hot shot off the bat of Wilmer Flores.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It felt like a whimper after the previous night's barrage, but one game usually lends no clues to what will happen in the next. Although it may be reasonable to expect new bridge-man <span>Bartolo Colon</span> (2 IP, 1 H, 2 K) to make his fourth appearance in five games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is not to say previous games will be out of mind in the next one. The last game played at Dodger Stadium and its disturbing remnants will be on the mind of the entire sports world as Game 5 takes center-stage as the only game scheduled on playoff docket. Take that, Thursday night football.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We await, patiently or otherwise, the final act. Our nervous twitchings and shiftings about won't impact the actors. They have carried on doing what they do even as one of their own has been laid low most heinously.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Raging blood, be still. Be satisfied.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Insert your favored ending here.)</p>
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<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">SB Nation GameThreads</h3>
<p id="paragraph6" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;">* <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/10/13/9524843/mets-vs-dodgers-nlds-game-4-lineups-broadcast-info-and-open-thread-10"><b>Amazin' Avenue GameThread</b></a><br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">* <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/10/10/9494687/mets-vs-dodgers-nlds-game-2-lineups-broadcast-info-and-open-thread-10" data-ref-index="21" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; image-rendering: optimizequality; color: #153b69; font-weight: bold;">True Blue LA GameThread</a></p>
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">Win Probability Added</h3>
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<p id="paragraph8" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;">(<a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/8/6/3222397/an-explanation-of-win-expectancy-graphs" data-ref-index="23" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; image-rendering: optimizequality; color: #153b69; font-weight: bold;">What's this?</a>)</p>
<p id="paragraph9" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Big winner:</b> Bartolo Colon, +5.2% WPA<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Big losers:</b> Steven Matz, -17.1% WPA; Travis d'Arnaud, -11.1% WPA; Lucas Duda, -9.6% WPA<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Teh aw3s0mest play:</b> Daniel Murphy's homer in the fourth, +9.0% WPA<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Teh sux0rest play:</b> Justin Turner's two-run double in the third, -19.6% WPA<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Total pitcher WPA:</b> -9.0% WPA<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Total batter WPA:</b> -41.0% WPA<br style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">GWRBI!:</b> Justin Turner</p>
https://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/10/14/9528793/mets-dodgers-nlds-game-4-recap-return-to-scene-of-crime-ruben-tejada-kershaw-matz-utley-still-sucksBryan Renzi2015-10-13T23:13:45-04:002015-10-13T23:13:45-04:00Final Score: Dodgers 3, Mets 1—No joy in Metsville
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<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mets couldn't solve the Dodgers' ace, and now it's winner-take-all on Thursday in Los Angeles.</p> <p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> was dominant on the mound and also got the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>' lone scoring rally started with a hit, evening the NLDS at 2-2 and sending the series back to Los Angeles for a deciding Game 5.</p>
<p><span>Steven Matz</span> pitched well in the biggest game of his life to date, but got touched up in the third inning because of two bad curveballs, some bad BABIP luck, and a boot from a normally sure-handed defender. Kershaw got the rally going with a base hit on a 2-2 curveball in the middle of the plate. With two outs, <span>Howie Kendrick</span> grounded a single and <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> followed with a bloop single to bring home the game's first run. <span>Justin Turner</span> jumped all over a 2-0 hanging bender and sent it on a line to the left-field corner. <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> didn't field it cleanly, allowing Gonzalez to score all the way from first. Matz ended up going five innings, allowing the three runs, six hits, two walks, and striking out four.</p>
<p>Apart from allowing another <span>Daniel Murphy</span> home run, Kershaw was masterful on just three days rest. He went seven innings, striking out eight, only spotting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> three hits and a walk over 94 pitches.</p>
<p>Late-inning flyballs which died before the warning track and working two walks with two outs in the eighth tantalized Mets fans everywhere. But Kenley Jansen closed the game without incident in a four-out save.</p>
<p><span>Jacob deGrom</span>. <span>Zack Greinke</span>. Game 5. Thursday. 8 PM EST.</p>
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">GameThread Roll Call</h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 26.6667px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph5">Nice job by amazins8669; his effort in the GameThread embiggens us all.</p>
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<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Fleurantin">Brian Fleurantin</a></td>
<td>94</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/10/13/9528365/final-scoreBryan Renzi2015-10-13T17:32:29-04:002015-10-13T17:32:29-04:00Kershaw's history pitching on three days' rest
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<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Kershaw will pitch on three days' rest tonight. How has he done on short rest in the past?</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a> will face off against <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> for the second time in tonight's NLDS game four, in a must-win game four the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 MVP has twice pitched on three days rest in the postseason, to mixed results.</p>
<p>On October 7, 2013, the Dodgers hosted the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Braves</a> in Game 4 of the NLDS with the Dodgers up two games to one. Kershaw faced off against the NL's fourth-ranked offense, a potent lineup that included <span>Jason Heyward</span>, <span>Justin Upton</span>, and Freddie Freeman. The then-25-year-old needed only 91 pitches to get through six innings, allowing just two unearned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six. Kershaw left in a tie game, and the Dodgers scored two runs in the eighth inning to advance.</p>
<p>Exactly one year later, on October 7, 2014, the Dodgers called on Kershaw to start in another must-win Game 4, down two games to one against the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a>. Facing the NL's ninth-ranked offense, Kershaw put up zeroes for his first six innings and looked to finally quiet those who doubted his ability to pitch well in the postseason. But after being staked to a two-run lead in the sixth, Kershaw allowed a three-run home run to <span>Matt Adams</span> in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kershaw did not record an out in the seventh, finishing with a line of six innings pitched, three earned runs, four hits, two walks, and nine strikeouts. He threw 102 pitches in a losing effort.</p>
<p>For his regular season career, Kershaw is 114-56 with an ERA of 2.43 and a <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/pitching/fip/">FIP</a> of 2.62 over eight seasons. In the postseason, he has a 1-6 record and a 4.99 ERA.</p>
https://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/10/13/9524661/mets-postseason-dodgers-clayton-kershawRich Resch2015-10-13T15:54:34-04:002015-10-13T15:54:34-04:00This won't be the first 'big game' for Steven Matz
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<p>The left-hander has a history of delivering in the clutch.</p> <p>Although <span>Steven Matz</span> has pitched only six games in his major league career, he has earned quite a reputation among <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a> fans. In his brief major league career, Matz is 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA, 34 strikeouts, 10 walks, and a 3.61 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/pitching/fip/">FIP</a> over 35.2 innings. That includes <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/6/29/8862269/mets-steven-matz-debut-dwight-gooden-tom-seaver">one of the greatest debuts of all time</a>, as well as a dominant performance in Los Angeles in which he held the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> scoreless over six innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out eight. If Matz can repeat his success against the Dodgers in tonight's NLDS game, his legend as a big-game pitcher will only continue to grow.</p>
<p>In each of the last two seasons, Matz started and pitched well in championship-clinching games for his respective minor league clubs. In 2013, his 5.2 scoreless innings helped lead the Savannah Sand Gnats to a 2-0 victory to <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/2013/9/14/4729466/mets-daily-farm-report-9-14-13-your-2013-south-atlantic-league">win the South Atlantic League</a> championship, the Low-A-ball club's first title in 17 years. Matz struck out nine, walked two, and allowed four hits in what was a scoreless postseason for the young left-hander. The following season, Matz pitched possibly the best game of his career in <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/2014/9/13/6143865/mets-daily-prospect-report-9-12-14-steven-matz-binghamton-eastern-league-champions">helping the Double-A Binghamton Mets</a> to their first Eastern League championship in two decades. Matz pitched 7.2 innings of one-run ball, allowing only two hits while walking two and striking out eleven.</p>
<p>Matz's history as a big-game pitcher dates back to high school, when he faced off against longtime friend and fellow Long Island native <span>Marcus Stroman</span>, in front of scouts from every major league team. <a href="http://m.mlb.com/news/article/153594540/steven-matz-marcus-stroman-met-in-high-school">Matz's Ward Melville High was victorious</a> over Stroman's Patchogue-Medford High by a score of 1-0, with the winning run coming on a dropped Stroman strikeout. Matz was dominant, striking out 12, walking four, and allowing only one hit.</p>
https://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/10/13/9521797/mets-postseason-dodgers-steven-matzRich Resch