Clay Holmes' Stellar Saturday Performance Solidifies Starter Role, Boosts Mets' Playoff Hopes

Clay Holmes delivered a stellar performance on Saturday afternoon against the Marlins, officially cementing his successful conversion from reliever to starter and saving the New York Mets' postseason hopes for at least one more day. Despite hitting a wall weeks prior, Holmes dug deep to pitch a gem when the team needed it most, going six innings deep as he had in April and May. He has proven to be the steadiest Mets starter, boasting a 3.53 ERA, which ranks in the NL's top 10, and throwing 165 innings—nearly 100 more than his previous high of 70 as a reliever in 2021. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised his work ethic, stating it "says a lot about the work he put in to prepare to be a starter." Holmes has established himself as a reliable asset for the remainder of his three-year contract and could potentially pitch a do-or-die Game 3 against the Dodgers in the postseason.