Looking To Avoid 0-2 Hole, Mets Hand Ball To Jacob DeGrom
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Johnny Cueto is happy at home, and that's where he'll pitch in the World Series.
The excitable right-hander with those signature dreadlocks is scheduled to start for the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 and potentially Game 6 — both at Kauffman Stadium.
"It doesn't matter to me whether I pitch at home or on the road. But I do feel more comfortable here at home," Cueto said through a translator Tuesday.
Cueto appeared to get a bit rattled in Toronto during one of the worst starts of his career in the AL Championship Series, yet manager Ned Yost said that had no impact on the order of his rotation against the New York Mets.
"No, I feel like he's pitched great games here. He really draws on the energy of our fans. And again, I felt like you try to put everybody in a position where they can be successful," Yost said before the Series opener. "He more than anybody else really draws that energy from our fans. We just felt it was the best move."
The Mets dropped Game 1 of the series in 14 innings on Tuesday night, and are looking to avoid the dreaded 0-2 hole.
Jacob deGrom will pitch Game 2 for the Mets. He is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three postseason outings — all away from home.
"I just like pitching," deGrom said. "On the road, it doesn't really matter. I've actually enjoyed pitching on the road in the postseason. You go out there and you're getting booed and it's fun to try to silence the crowd."
New York has seen plenty of Cueto from his days in the National League with Cincinnati. He is 3-4 with a 4.02 ERA in 11 starts against the Mets.
"Seems like every time we played the Reds he was pitching," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Now with his new delivery alterations he's made, you better get your feet on the ground. Because this guy can quick-pitch you. He can make you wait. So you better get ready to hit as soon as you get in the batter's box. That certainly is something unique to him."
"He knows how to pitch. He knows how to get you out," Collins added. "When you don't have a fear to fail, you're dangerous. And he's dangerous."
Cueto, acquired July 26 from Cincinnati, has not pitched since Game 3 of the ALCS on Oct. 19.
"The rest is good because I've been going since January, even though I do like my routine of five days," he said. "But that's the way it fell. That's the way the rotation fell for the series. And that's what I've got to adjust to."
Before his meltdown against the Blue Jays, Cueto tossed a gem at Kauffman Stadium in the deciding Game 5 of the Division Series versus Houston.
He has made some recent adjustments to his motion, as Collins noted. In a sense, Cueto often changes speeds even before he delivers the ball.
"As far as the windup, I read swings, I read rhythms. And I come up with these different type of windups because of the rhythm that I feel is going to be effective on that particular pitch," Cueto said.
Last season's NL Rookie of the Year, the shaggy-haired deGrom has a well-documented story by now: He was a college shortstop and third baseman at Stetson before moving to the mound his junior year and catching the eye of scouts when he pitched against Florida Gulf Coast and first-round draft pick Chris Sale, now an All-Star ace with the Chicago White Sox.
Not long after beginning his professional career, deGrom had Tommy John surgery that sidelined him in the low minors. When he was finally called up by the Mets last season, they planned to put him in the bullpen. But he was given a spot start in place of injured Dillon Gee before a big crowd in the Subway Series against the Yankees, and deGrom has been a stingy staple in the rotation ever since.
"Going through that rehab process, I think that's what really helped me become a better pitcher, because I was kind of new to it and I think it helped me learn how to repeat my delivery," deGrom said. "It was a crazy journey."
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
