New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard told reporters he had “a few tricks” up his sleeve prior to his start in Game 3 of the World Series on Friday night, and it turned out he wasn’t kidding.
Before the Mets exploded for a 9-3 win, Syndergaard opened the evening by throwing high and inside against Royals leadoff batter Alcides Escobar in the top of the first inning.
He admitted that was on purpose.
“My intent was to make him uncomfortable,” Syndergaard said after allowing three runs and striking out six Kansas City batters in six innings, per Bleacher Report’s Scott Miller.
However, Syndergaard made it clear he didn’t toss the pitch with violent motives.
“I certainly wasn’t trying to hit the guy,” he added, per Miller. “I didn’t want him to get too comfortable.”
Escobar has become renowned for swinging at first pitches throughout the postseason, and Syndergaard evidently wanted to dissuade him from doing so Friday night. According to MLB.com’s Mike Petriello, Escobar had swung at the first pitch in all 13 of his leadoff at-bats in the 2015 playoffs entering Game 3.
“We will send a message back. Don’t worry,” Escobar said, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
“If they have a problem with me throwing inside, then they can meet me at 60 feet, six inches away,” Syndergaard added, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
The Royals didn’t view the things through a similar prism, per Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star:
“I thought it was weak,” Royals outfielder Alex Rios said, according to McCullough. “Very weak. I thought it was unprofessional.”
First baseman Eric Hosmer echoed his teammates’ thoughts.
“Any time a guy throws at one of your teammates heads, it’s not going to go over very easy,” Hosmer said, according to the Kansas City Star‘s Vahe Gregorian. “Of course we’re going to be angry. Of course we’re going to be upset. But we’ll find a way to get back at him.”
However, it could be a while until Thor takes the mound again. The Mets have yet to announce probable starters beyond Game 4, so unless Syndergaard is thrust into an emergency relief appearance, his return to the mound may be dictated by the Mets’ ability to force a Game 6 or Game 7.
As Miller explained, the starters for Saturday’s Game 4 aren’t exactly the retaliatory type:
Either way, the Royals need to respond with a more complete outing. This postseason, Kansas City pitchers have posted a 7.02 ERA on the road. According to Fox Sports, that mark has contributed to a 2-4 road record and an opponents’ batting average of .276.
Chris Young will try to rectify those problems Saturday, but the Mets have to be feeling confident following their offensive outburst in Game 3.
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