How 2016 actually went.
Almost every part of the rotation broke. Harvey, Matz, Wheeler, and later deGrom were unavailable, while David Wright’s spinal condition limited him to 37 games. The defending National League champions spent the summer patching holes and appeared too damaged to return to October.
Noah Syndergaard became the clear ace, Céspedes supplied middle-of-the-order power, and late additions such as Asdrúbal Cabrera and José Reyes helped the offense improve. A strong finish earned the top Wild Card spot and brought postseason baseball back to Citi Field despite the injuries.
Syndergaard matched Madison Bumgarner for seven scoreless innings in the Wild Card Game. Jeurys Familia allowed a three-run homer in the ninth, and the entire postseason ended in one night. The loss was sharp, but 87 wins showed real toughness. The same pitching depth that had promised a long window was now being tested by the physical cost of every arm.
They reached October with almost an entire dream rotation missing, then one swing ended the defense of the pennant.