A Pitching Phenom: Jacob deGrom and the Mets' Postseason Legacy

Jacob deGrom stands as one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation, a two-time National League Cy Young Award winner who delivered some of the most electric performances in New York Mets history. While his regular-season numbers are staggering, his impact during the franchise’s playoff runs remains a defining aspect of his legacy. This article examines deGrom’s contributions to the Mets’ postseason successes, from the 2015 World Series run to later efforts, analyzing his statistics, the context of his outings, and the broader effect on the team’s championship aspirations. Through a detailed look at key games, advanced metrics, and the narrative of his playoff career, we reveal how deGrom elevated the Mets when the stakes were highest.

Rise from Late Bloomer to Ace

Drafted in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB draft out of Stetson University, deGrom was not an instant phenom. He made his major league debut in May 2014 at age 26, an older rookie who quickly silenced any skeptics. His fastball, which touched the mid-90s, paired with a devastating slider and an emerging changeup, helped him post a 2.69 ERA and win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. That season served as a springboard; by 2015, deGrom was a reliable frontline starter anchoring a rotation that included Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz. The Mets’ young arms carried the team to the postseason for the first time since 2006, and deGrom’s role as a stopper became central to their playoff identity.

Minor League Grind and Mechanical Refinements

DeGrom’s path to the majors was far from linear. After being drafted as a shortstop, he converted to pitching late in his college career and spent three seasons in the minors refining his mechanics. He increased his fastball velocity by adding strength and altering his delivery, transforming from a fringe prospect into a power arm. By 2015, deGrom improved his command and began using his fastball more aggressively up in the zone, an approach that led to a 2.54 ERA, 205 strikeouts, and a National League-leading 0.98 WHIP. He finished seventh in Cy Young voting, but his true value emerged in October. The Mets entered the 2015 postseason as wild card winners, then swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, defeated the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS, and faced the Kansas City Royals in the World Series. Throughout that run, deGrom started two games — the clinching Game 5 of the NLDS and Game 2 of the World Series — posting a combined 1.80 ERA across 10 innings. His ability to limit damage and keep the Mets in close contests was critical, especially given the team’s relative offensive struggles.

Playoff Performance Deep Dive: 2015

National League Division Series: Game 5 vs. Dodgers

With the series tied 2-2, deGrom took the mound in Los Angeles on October 15, 2015. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, striking out seven, and walking two. The Mets won 3-2 on Daniel Murphy’s historic home run, advancing to the NLCS. DeGrom’s poise in a hostile road environment set the tone. He battled through early traffic on the bases, but his slider was sharp, and he consistently threw first-pitch strikes, forcing weak contact. The outing embodied his postseason mantra: trust the stuff, attack the zone, and let the defense work. His fastball averaged 96.8 mph, and he generated 13 swinging strikes on 74 pitches, a 17.6% whiff rate that kept Dodgers hitters off balance.

“When deGrom is on, you feel like no one is going to score. He just goes out there and does his job, no panic, no wasted motion.” – A longtime Mets scout, reflecting on the Game 5 start.

That start not only clinched the series but also saved the bullpen for the NLCS. DeGrom’s efficiency allowed Terry Collins to avoid using his high-leverage arms, a strategic advantage that paid dividends in the next round.

World Series: Game 2 vs. Royals

In the World Series, deGrom started Game 2 at Kauffman Stadium. He worked five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits, with six strikeouts and two walks. The Mets lost 7-1, but deGrom kept the game close for the first five frames, leaving with a 1-1 tie. The bullpen faltered after his exit, and the Royals’ aggressive approach paid off. DeGrom’s performance was not his sharpest — he struggled with his changeup location and left too many fastballs over the plate — but he still limited damage and gave the Mets a chance. That ability to pitch out of jams and minimize the opposition’s big inning characterized his playoff outings. In the fourth inning, with runners on first and second and one out, deGrom induced a double-play grounder from Eric Hosmer, a critical escape that kept the game tied.

2015 NLCS: A Limited but Crucial Rest

Contrary to expectations, deGrom did not start in the NLCS. The Mets swept the Cubs in four games, and manager Terry Collins chose to rest deGrom, saving him for a potential Game 1 of the World Series—a decision that allowed the Mets to use Harvey, Syndergaard, and Matz. DeGrom was available out of the bullpen in Game 4 but was not needed. This strategic rest underscored the team’s depth and deGrom’s value as an ace; the Mets felt they could win without him, preserving his arm for the harder matchup against Kansas City. While that plan ultimately fell short, deGrom’s willingness to accept the rest reflected his team-first mindset.

2016 Postseason: Continued Excellence Amid Injury

After a 2016 regular season marred by injuries — deGrom missed time with a sore elbow and a lat strain — he returned in time for the wild card game and helped the Mets reach the NLCS again. In the 2016 playoffs, deGrom made two starts: a National League Division Series Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and a potential elimination Game 3 of the NLCS versus the Chicago Cubs. In Game 1 of the NLDS, he pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out eight, and walking one. The Mets lost 3-0, but deGrom’s effort kept them within striking distance. In Game 3 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field, deGrom threw six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits, again striking out eight with one walk. The Mets lost 5-2 and eventually were swept by the Cubs. Despite the series defeat, deGrom’s postseason ERA remained excellent, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio was elite.

Playoff Consistency in a Second-Half Comeback

The 2016 season was a testament to deGrom’s resilience. He missed three weeks in August with a strained triceps, then returned to pitch effectively down the stretch, posting a 2.74 ERA in his final seven starts. In the playoffs, he carried that momentum, throwing 13 innings with 16 strikeouts and only three walks (1.15 WHIP). His 2.77 ERA in two postseason starts that year underscored his ability to elevate his game when the stakes were highest, even while not fully healthy. The Mets’ lineup, however, failed to provide run support, and deGrom suffered two tough-luck losses. In Game 3 of the NLCS, he left the game trailing just 2-1 after six innings, but the bullpen allowed two additional runs after his exit.

The Peak Years and Missed Octobers: 2017–2019

From 2017 onward, deGrom’s playoff story became one of what-ifs. The Mets failed to reach the postseason in 2017, 2018, and 2019, despite deGrom winning Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019. His 2018 season was historically dominant: a 1.70 ERA, 269 strikeouts in 217 innings, and a 0.91 WHIP. Yet the Mets finished 77-85, and deGrom received just 10 runs of support per start. In 2019, he followed with a 2.43 ERA and 255 strikeouts, again winning the Cy Young, but the Mets went 86-76 and missed the playoffs by three games. These were wasted prime years for a pitcher who may have been the best in baseball. The team’s inability to build a contending roster around him meant October baseball rarely coincided with his peak form.

The 2018 Campaign: A Cy Young Without a Playoff Stage

No season better encapsulates deGrom’s frustration than 2018. He posted a 10-9 record because of historically poor run support, but his ERA+ of 215 was the highest in the majors. In a September start against the Phillies, deGrom struck out 14 over eight scoreless innings but received a no-decision. The Mets lost 1-0. “He just kept going out there and dominating, even when we couldn’t score for him,” said teammate Michael Conforto. Without a playoff appearance, deGrom’s greatness was confined to regular-season box scores, leaving a gap in his legacy that postseason success would have filled.

The Injuries and Missed Opportunities: 2020–2022

In 2020, the pandemic-shortened season saw the Mets miss the expanded playoffs by one game, and deGrom’s season ended early with a hamstring injury. The 2021 season offered a chance: deGrom was otherworldly in the first half (1.08 ERA, 146 strikeouts in 92 innings) before more injuries (a forearm strain, then a shoulder issue) ended his season in July. The Mets faltered without him. In 2022, deGrom returned from Tommy John surgery in August and made 11 starts, but the Mets were eliminated in the wild card series without him starting — he was not fully stretched out. That omission, widely criticized, highlighted a disconnect between team management and the player’s readiness. The 2023 season saw deGrom leave the Mets via free agency, signing with the Texas Rangers.

The 2022 Wild Card Series: A Notable Absence

The 2022 postseason was a turning point in the deGrom-Mets narrative. The team won 101 games and the NL East crown, but deGrom started only one game from August 2 onward due to a low-grade finger blister and subsequent recovery plan. In the best-of-three Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres, the Mets opted not to start deGrom, citing his pitch count and lack of recent long outings. Manager Buck Showalter instead gave the ball to Max Scherzer in Game 1 and Chris Bassitt in Game 2 — both losses. DeGrom appeared in relief in Game 2, throwing two scoreless innings, but the Mets’ season ended prematurely. The decision to not start him remains a point of contention among fans; deGrom had posted a 9-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his final two regular-season outings. His absence underscored how injuries had fractured his postseason availability during his Mets prime.

“It was tough because you wanted to be out there starting, but you trust the coaching staff. You do whatever you can to help the team win.” – Jacob deGrom, after the 2022 Wild Card elimination, speaking to reporters.

Postseason Numbers and Legacy

Jacob deGrom’s playoff statistics are small-sample but remarkable. In 30.2 postseason innings (across five starts and one relief appearance), he has a 2.93 ERA with 39 strikeouts, 10 walks, and a 1.19 WHIP. Opponents have hit .214 against him. His 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.9 strikeout-to-walk ratio align with his regular-season dominance. More than numbers, his presence on the mound shifted the dynamic of every game — the Mets entered those starts with a palpable confidence. His fastball averaged 97 mph in the playoffs, and his slider generated a 41% whiff rate. Among Mets pitchers with at least 20 postseason innings, deGrom’s ERA ranks third behind only Hall of Famer Tom Seaver (2.65) and Jon Matlack (2.89).

Comparative Context: deGrom vs. Other Mets Postseason Aces

The Mets’ franchise history includes iconic postseason performances from Seaver, Dwight Gooden, and more recently, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard. DeGrom’s playoff career, while truncated by injuries and team failures, holds its own. He pitched in only three playoff series (2015, 2016, 2022), but in those starts he never allowed more than three earned runs, made only one start where he failed to complete five innings, and pitched with the highest strikeout rate. His 2022 relief appearance, though short, proved he could adapt to any role. Where Harvey’s 2015 World Series Game 5 is legendary, and Syndergaard’s “Thor” persona electrified the 2015 and 2016 postseasons, deGrom provided a quieter, more surgical dominance. He did not seek the spotlight but delivered when trusted. For a broader look at his career, refer to Baseball Reference.

What deGrom’s Playoff Runs Mean for Mets Fans

For the Mets’ faithful, deGrom’s playoff contributions are bittersweet. His brilliance gave them some of the most electric nights of the 2010s — the Game 5 NLDS clincher, the NLCS start in Chicago, the 2022 relief showing. Yet the absence of a championship, the injuries that limited his October exposure, and the ultimate free-agent departure leave a legacy tinged with unfulfilled potential. Still, no one can deny that in the moments deGrom took the ball in the playoffs, he delivered ace-level performances. He elevated the Mets when the competition was toughest, even if the team around him could not always match his level. His 2015 and 2016 runs offered a glimpse of what a fully healthy deGrom could have done over a longer playoff career.

“You knew that if we scored two or three runs with Jake on the mound, we were probably going to win. He gave us that unshakeable belief.” – Brandon Nimmo, reflecting on deGrom’s postseason starts.

Conclusion

Jacob deGrom’s tenure with the New York Mets will be remembered for two Cy Young Awards, a Rookie of the Year, and some of the most dominant regular-season pitching ever seen. But his postseason chapters, though brief, are equally vital to his legacy. He delivered in the 2015 and 2016 playoffs with run prevention and strikeout stuff, and even in 2022, his two-inning relief appearance showed his commitment to winning. The Mets’ playoff runs during his peak — a 2015 World Series appearance, a 2016 NLCS berth — would not have happened without him. His numbers in October were elite, and his presence gave the team a legitimate ace for the highest-leverage games. While the Mets never won a title with deGrom, his contribution to the franchise’s postseason successes is undeniable. For further reading on his Cy Young seasons and impact, see MLB.com’s profile, Fangraphs statistics, and an ESPN feature on his 2022 return.