Megill makes most of new opportunity to help Mets' playoff push (2024)

CHICAGO -- Tylor Megill has had an up-and-down 2024 season with the Mets. But the big right-hander has an opportunity now to contribute to New York’s push for the playoffs.

“I’m going to go out and help this team in any way possible to win,” Megill said. “Obviously we’re in a playoff hunt, and I’m going to do everything in my power to keep us in there when I go out and pitch.”

So far, so good. With Paul Blackburn (right hand contusion) landing on the 15-day injured list on Sunday, the Mets recalled Megill from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday to start against the White Sox. Megill shook off a shaky first two innings to turn in a solid performance in the Mets’ 5-1 series-opening win at Guaranteed Rate Field. The 29-year-old tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits and one walk with six strikeouts.

The Mets (71-64) remain three games back of the Braves (74-61) for the final NL Wild Card spot, after Atlanta’s 7-2 win over Philadelphia on Friday.

“It felt good,” Megill said. “The first [two] innings were a little bit of hard work, a little bit getting behind early. But then after that, I locked it in and it seemed like I was cruising a little bit easier.”

Chicago’s only run off of Megill came in the first inning. He issued a leadoff walk to Nicky Lopez, who came around to score two batters later on Andrew Benintendi’s RBI double. Megill worked out of trouble again in the second. Chicago had two runners on with nobody out, and the bases loaded with two outs, but did not score. And after Benintendi’s leadoff single in the third, Megill retired 10 straight hitters.

“I thought he settled in nicely,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “After the first couple of innings, he settled down, made pitches and gave us a good outing.”

Megill, who threw 97 pitches (64 strikes) on Friday, is in his third stint in the Majors this season. The Mets previously optioned him to Syracuse on June 30 and recalled him on July 27. He made two starts after that before New York optioned him back to Triple-A.

The 29-year-old said one mental approach he worked on in his latest stint with Syracuse was getting ahead and attacking hitters. Mendoza also noted Megill has been working on his two-seam fastball in Triple-A. If that pitch is working, it’s an option for Megill to get ground balls early in counts, or whenever else he needs to.

Megill threw 20 two-seamers on Friday. He threw just 25 total in his previous 10 appearances (nine starts) in the Majors this season.

“The sinker has been a big play lately,” Megill said. “I’m able to throw it with ease, and I’m able to throw [inside] now a lot [easier] than with the four-seam. So it’s keeping batters true and I’m able to lean out over. Just being effective with the sinker and being able to pitch off two planes with the fastball.”

The Mets’ offense also backed Megill after New York fell behind. Jesse Winker, who went 3-for-4, singled to leadoff the second and later scored on a Harrison Bader fielder’s choice. With two outs in the third, Pete Alonso walked and Winker doubled him home, while Martinez followed with a three-run homer to give New York a three-run lead.

“That was huge,” Martinez said of the rally. “I’ve played on a lot of good teams. Those two outs are just as important as no outs. When you’re doing that, it’s a winning-caliber team.”

Megill also got some help from the Mets’ defense on Friday. Francisco Lindor made a pair of nice plays in the fourth inning. First, Lindor scooped up a 102.8 mph grounder and retired White Sox outfielder Dominic Fletcher for the first out of the inning. Then he made a leaping catch to rob third baseman Miguel Vargas. Lindor waved to the crowd after the second play.

With Blackburn not eligible to return from the IL until Sept. 8, Megill is in line to get at least one more turn through the rotation. But he also could offer New York’s pitching staff help as a length option down the stretch, whether he starts or comes out of the bullpen.

Right now, he’s taking things outing by outing.

“Just coming in and doing my job,” Megill said. “Coming in and helping the team and putting together an outing where we put the best situation to help the team out throughout the game. I felt like I did that tonight. Just carry it forward [to the] next outing.”