Luis Severino thinks it started in Toronto last week, but he's not sure who started it.
Someone in the Mets starting rotation (probably Sean Manaea) decided that the Mets starting rotation needed a special celebration.
“Big congratulations to our hitters,” Severino said Thursday after the team's 10-6 win over the Phillies in the series opener at Citi Field. [needed] I want to do something for the pitchers as well.”
And a hopping circle was formed.
After the starter pulls (these days, it's almost always after a solid start), he joins the rest of the group, puts their arms around each other's shoulders, and bounces up and down for a few seconds.
“I need one more sign,” Severino said with a laugh, the “OMG” sign only used when a player hits a home run.
The Mets pitchers are having fun, and it's a lot easier to have fun when they're pitching like this.
Severino had his fourth quality start in four starts in September, but he gave up three runs in six innings, which really marks a decline given how well he and the Mets' starting rotation have performed.
Following Severino's performance, the Mets' starting pitchers posted a 2.01 ERA in 17 games in September, at best leading the team and at worst staying in the game.
The biggest month of the season has been the month that saw the biggest step forward from a Mets starting pitching staff that was only decent until each of them got into their groove.
No one has touched Manaea since mid-July.
Jose Quintana has a 0.28 ERA in his past five starts.
David Peterson has a 2.85 ERA this season.
Tyler Megill has pitched 12 innings in his past two starts and has not allowed an earned run.
“It's been incredible,” said Severino, who has allowed three runs or less in seven of his past eight starts. “We've been really strong this last month.”
In a game where 16 runs were scored, Severino just had to pitch solidly.
He was out in the third inning when Kyle Schwarber singled and Trea Turner homered into the upper left field stands to tie the game.
The powerful right-hander was in trouble again in the third inning when Brandon Marsh smashed a one-run single over Mark Vientos' head.
But with a runner still on second, Severino got Cal Stevenson to fly out.
The Mets offense showed plenty of scoring potential, scoring five runs in the bottom of the inning.
Severino held the Phillies scoreless through six innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out seven.
“He had to fight,” Carlos Mendoza said. “He was good, but they made it hard for him. … He found a way to get six innings.”
And after 86 pitches, he had enough energy to fly around with a team that was making a leap.
