WASHINGTON — It does not take a keen-eyed advance scout to understand the key to subduing the 2022 Nationals: do not let Juan Soto beat you. Soto stands a strong chance of leading the Majors in walks this season, because most pitchers recognize the value in avoiding him. What those pitchers never want to do is enter a situation in which they have no choice.
That means avoiding the type of situation that Tylor Megill, the Mets’ Opening Day replacement starter, faced in the third inning Tuesday. Although Megill was pitching well, a run of poor luck resulted in a first-and-third, one-out predicament with Soto sauntering to the plate.
Given no attractive alternative, Megill decided to attack one of baseball’s most potent hitters. He sequenced a changeup for a strike, then another one away. A fastball fouled back, then another one inside. Finally, Megill delivered his pièce de résistance: a 98-mph fastball up in the zone, which Soto swung through for strike three. The rally fizzled and the Mets eventually strung together a few of their own, departing Nationals Park with a 5-1 Opening Day victory.
It was not just Soto that Megill held at bay; it was everyone. Over five innings, the sophomore right-hander allowed three hits, one of them on a chopper that didn’t leave the infield. Most impressively, he topped out at 99 mph — more than 1.5 mph harder than he had ever previously thrown in a big league game. Of Megill’s 68 pitches, seven left his hand at higher…