MLB Weekly Digest April 26th Edition: Mets Jacob deGrom Makes History

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The last week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the National League making history, an outfielder is placed on the injured list, and a team in the American League continues winning.

New York Mets Starting Pitcher Jacob deGrom Makes History in Dominant Start

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom was dominant in his last start days ago against the Washington Nationals and made some history in the outing.

Jacob deGrom has been playing out of this world so far this season 🤯 pic.twitter.com/DuadJYtoOq

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 24, 2021

deGrom threw a two-hit shutout on 109 pitches with a career-high 15 strikeouts while having two hits and an RBI in the win.

Jacob deGrom tonight:

Set a new career high in Ks (15)
Lowered his ERA to 0.31
Raised his batting average to .545

🤯 pic.twitter.com/NPFaUaupOT

— MLB (@MLB) April 24, 2021

5️⃣0️⃣ punchouts (and counting) through his first four starts of the season. A new major league record. 👀 pic.twitter.com/IaEa2SmidW

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 24, 2021

He is the first Mets pitcher with 15 strikeouts in a game since Al Leiter on Aug. 1, 1999, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

Jacob deGrom is the 1st Mets pitcher with 15 strikeouts in a game since Al Leiter, with 15 on Aug. 1, 1999 at the Cubs

Lineups from that one, which the Mets won in 13 innings after a Pat Mahomes T13 RBI single ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Lc5fPRVK3A

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 24, 2021

The 15 strikeouts by the ace gave him 50 for the season, which is the most by a player through their first four starts of a season in the Modern Era (1900).

The outing was the third consecutive start in which he stuck out at least 14 batters, tied for the longest streak in the Modern Era, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Jacob deGrom this season:

⚾️ 50 strikeouts, the most by a player through their 1st 4 starts of a season in the Modern Era (1900)

⚾️ 3 straight games with 14+ strikeouts, tied for the longest streak in the Modern Era

⚾️ Has more RBI (2) than he has earned runs allowed (1) pic.twitter.com/qNAIBDNEop

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 24, 2021

There are just two other pitchers who have struck out 14 or more batters in three straight starts.

They are Pedro Martinez in 1999 and Gerrit Cole in 2019, per Jayson Stark of The Athletic.

Here’s your list of all pitchers who have ever had 3 straight games of 14+ K:

Pedro 1999
Gerrit Cole 2019
Jacob deGrom right now

Nobody has ever strung together 4 in a row. For another week anyway.

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) April 24, 2021

The other impressive aspect of deGrom has started the 2021 season because he has more RBIs (2) than earned runs surrendered (1).

The right-hander has been one of the best starting pitchers in the National League over the past couple of seasons by winning the Cy Young Award twice in the last three years.

Washington Nationals Place Outfielder Juan Soto on Injured List with Shoulder Injury

The Washington Nationals have placed outfielder Juan Soto on the injured list with a strained left shoulder, per Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post.

Juan Soto has been placed on the 10-day inured list with a strained left shoulder and Yadiel Hernandez has been recalled from the alternate site.

— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) April 20, 2021

The moment when Soto suffered the injury is unknown, but he told manager Dave Martinez he could not play in a game last week, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN.

Martinez says he found out 45 minutes before gametime Soto couldn't play. Complained about triceps pain, got an MRI, which showed the shoulder strain. They decided not to take any chances this early in the season, take advantage of off-days on schedule.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) April 21, 2021

The loss of Soto is paramount for the Nationals as he is one of the best players on the club.

The Nationals already have five players on the injured list, including right-handed starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg and left-handed pitcher Jon Lester.

Soto had compiled a .300 batting average and .870 OPS in 14 games with two doubles, two home runs, and eight RBIs before being placed on the IL.

The team is hopeful Soto can be activated off the injured list when eligible.

Oakland Athletics Winning Streak Halted at 13, Longest in Majors Since 2017

The Oakland Athletics have finally lost a game as they were defeated 8-1 by the Baltimore Orioles yesterday.

The loss snapped a 13-game winning streak by the Athletics.

mood in Oakland @Athletics | #RiseAndGrind pic.twitter.com/JJcunBXTCj

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 25, 2021

The team began the season losing their first six games but have been on a roll since.

This was the third-longest winning streak in the history of the franchise.

The team won 14 straight games in 1988 and set a then-American League record with 20 consecutive wins in 2002.

The Cleveland Indians broke that record with 22 straight wins in 2017.

The team has had different players come through in critical moments during the streak.

The Athletics were undoubtedly better than the team that started the year, losing six straight, and though the streak is over, it was an impressive run.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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