Walker stifles Yanks in All-Star-caliber start

NEW YORK -- When All-Star Game rosters are officially announced on Sunday afternoon, the Mets should have one no-doubt selection in Jacob deGrom. They feature several other candidates as well, all of them pitchers: closer Edwin Díaz, who is enjoying a fine year at the back of the bullpen, along with starters Marcus Stroman and Taijuan Walker.

The latter is the only Mets candidate who has never made an All-Star team, despite a successful eight-year career before signing in New York. That could be about to change. In taking a no-hit bid into the sixth inning of the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Yankees on Saturday and holding his ERA nearly steady at 2.44, Walker offered some strong closing arguments for his first selection.

“He’s a guy that, for me, deserves to be in the All-Star Game,” manager Luis Rojas said. “He’s been outstanding. He’s been like another ace for us.”

Although Walker was inefficient with his pitch count at Yankee Stadium, he limited the Yankees to three baserunners over the first five innings -- two on walks, the other on José Peraza’s throwing error. It was not until the sixth, with Walker’s pitch count climbing toward the triple digits, that Aaron Judge finally broke through with a solo homer. Walker faced two more batters and departed after allowing a two-out single.

By that point the Mets had things mostly in hand thanks to an eight-run outburst over the fifth and sixth innings. Brandon Nimmo rapped out three hits and scored twice in his first game back from the injured list, while Dominic Smith contributed three hits, two runs and three RBIs.

But it was Walker who made the most significant impact, holding an opponent to two runs or fewer for the 13th time in 15 starts. Not surprisingly given that sort of consistency, the Mets are 12-3 in games he’s started.

“He’s been an amazing, amazing pitcher,” Nimmo said. “I think he surprised everyone. But from what we were seeing in spring, we were like, ‘Man, this guy is really stinkin’ good.”

Smith agreed that Walker “has exceeded a lot of people’s expectations coming into New York,” which is only natural considering he was not the Mets’ first option in free agency.

But since that time, Walker has provided clubhouse leadership in addition to his All-Star-caliber performance on the field.

Earlier this weekend, Rojas was asked about an alternative universe where more high-profile free agents signed with the Mets.

“You know what I’m happy for? That we signed Taijuan Walker,” Rojas said in response to the question about Bauer. “He’s been one of those guys that led for us to have that camaraderie. He’s just an outstanding person. … [Since] he stepped foot in our complex, he’s caused that impact.”

Now, if Walker makes the All-Star team, the Mets will have a chance to showcase him on a national stage. Although deGrom is the Mets’ only shoo-in, he could decline the invitation, because he is scheduled to pitch on the final Sunday before the Midsummer Classic. Díaz is an excellent candidate as well, but as one of many excellent NL relievers vying for a limited number of spots, he’s no sure thing. While Stroman, like Walker, has been one of the league’s best starters, his underlying statistics aren’t quite as strong.

But Walker's numbers are becoming difficult to ignore. His 2.44 ERA ranks ninth in the NL -- a shade better than Yu Darvish. Walker also ranks eighth in FIP, or Fielding Independent Pitching, which attempts to tease the role of team defense out of ERA. His home run rate of 0.64 per nine innings is fifth in the league.

Walker credits his success to two things. It begins with health for a pitcher who missed most of 2018-19 due to Tommy John surgery, and who has never reached even 170 innings in a season. It continues with a five-pitch mix that he established with last season's addition of a sinker and a slider that he now uses more liberally than ever. Walker doesn’t throw any of his pitches more than about 30 percent of the time.

“To have that many weapons, whatever’s working that day, we kind of just lean on,” Walker said.

If the result of all that success is an All-Star appearance, Walker will gladly take it. If not, that’s fine, too.

By Sunday night, he and the Mets will know for sure.

“I’m definitely anxious to find out, but right now it’s out of my hands,” Walker said. “I’m going out there helping the team try to win games, and whatever happens, happens. If I make it, awesome. If not, then I’ll have four days off to enjoy with the family and recharge and get ready for the second half.”