A showdown between two 23-year-old right-handers
The Mets open a three-game set in Miami this afternoon in Florida. On the mound, two righties born in the same year. Jonah Tong (1-1, 3.60 ERA) for New York, Eury Perez (7-10, 3.72) for the Marlins.
The gap in experience is huge. Perez has 64 career starts. Tong has five, with eight big-league appearances in total.
New York (65-78) is already out of the playoff race. The club has recalled Tong for this game and, most likely, for the rest of the season. Miami (72-72) is still chasing a wild card spot, but has dropped three of its last four.
Try it for $0.99.
Tong is still hunting for his third pitch
Tong remains a fascinating case. Last season, he tore through the minors: 10-5, a 1.43 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 113 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Promoted to the majors, he was hit for a 7.71 ERA in 18 2/3 innings.
This year, he tinkered with his mix and got lost in Triple-A (5-6, 4.54). The ugly number: 22 homers allowed in 23 starts, compared with just two in 22 starts last year. “The results didn’t go my way,” the pitcher told MLB.com, while insisting the experience has made him tougher mentally.
His fastball, delivered from a high arm slot, and his changeup are regarded as elite pitches. What he still lacks is a reliable third weapon, either a curve or a cutter. Command is another concern, with 6.3 walks per nine innings at the major-league level this season. Miami has every reason to make him work. One caveat: in two outings against the Marlins, Tong has a 1.13 ERA.
Perez has gone from thrower to craftsman
Perez is putting together a strong third major-league season without breaking a sweat. His strikeout rate is the lowest of his career at 9.6 per nine innings. The other numbers tell a different story, though: 39.2 percent hard contact allowed, his best mark, 37.5 percent ground balls and just 29.4 percent fly balls, both personal bests. He’s not overpowering hitters. He’s outsmarting them.
One awkward note: the Mets have had his number. In five starts against them, he is 1-3 with a 5.06 ERA.
Both teams are leaning on breakout bats. For the Marlins, rookie catcher Joe Mack (12 homers), All-Star shortstop Otto Lopez (.300 average, 62 RBIs) and outfielder Heriberto Hernandez, who has 24 homers, including five in his last 12 games. For the Mets, first baseman Jared Young and rookies Carson Benge (16 homers, 54 RBIs) and A.J. Ewing, who already has 22 stolen bases.
Discover the rest of the MLB news on our mathodds website and app!
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
Leave a Reply