Jordan Montgomery, the lone lefty in the Yankees’ projected Opening Day starting rotation, is a crucial piece for New York’s pitching staff, which is loaded with question marks.
Montgomery is a bit of an unknown himself, but so far this spring, the Yanks have to love what they see.
Getting ready for his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Montgomery turned in a brilliant outing on Wednesday against a formidable Blue Jays lineup, tossing five hitless innings with four strikeouts to drop his spring training ERA to a miniscule 0.90.
After turning in one of the Yankees’ biggest starts in 2020 with four strong innings in game four of the ALDS, Montgomery looks to be carrying over that momentum into 2021.
Jordan Montgomery today. Sat 93-95. Up to 66 pitches with 42 strikes against a good Blue Jays lineup. It is definitely what you want. pic.twitter.com/jAu99GVNXH
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) March 17, 2021
Montgomery allowed just one walk in Wednesday’s outing, while throwing 42 of his 66 pitches for strikes. Most encouraging was the lineup he faced, which consisted of mainly projected starters for Toronto this season.
“Their lineup, there are a lot of good hitters up and down it,” Montgomery said. “I felt pretty in control my whole outing...just felt comfortable throwing everything.”
So far this spring, Montgomery has thrown 10 innings in three appearances, allowing just one earned run on four hits and three walks, while striking out seven.
Montgomery will likely be the fourth starter for the Yanks this season, behind Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon. But with those latter two names carrying significant injury histories in recent years, the Yanks could wind up badly needing an effective Montgomery this season. Based on his spring performance so far, he looks up to the task, looking much more like the breakout starter he was in 2017.
“I’m getting to the same spot consistently, and I have a little more faith in my arm so I’m kind of just whipping it through,” Montgomery said. “It’s not tensing up. Knock on wood, I’m feeling good. Just trying to keep doing my delivery the same and getting my arm to the same spot every time.”
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