Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Noah Syndergaard, RHP vs Max Scherzer, RHP
Terrific pitching matchup right here. You couldn’t have this series start any better if you tried.
Noah Syndergaard has gotten off to a sizzling start this season, picking up where he left off at the end of last season. Other than a couple of hiccups vs the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres back to back, he’s been nearly unhittable this year, especially now that he’s developed a 95 mph slider to his repertoire.
In his last start, not only did he throw eight strong innings, but he also homered twice and drove in all four of the Mets runs.
Max Scherzer’s overall numbers may not be great but in his last start, he enjoyed a start for the ages tying an MLB record with 20 strikeouts. In Scherzer’s last outing vs the Mets at the end of last year, he no hit them.
This should be one epic matchup.
Game 2: Bartolo Colon, RHP vs Gio Gonzalez, LHP
After hitting a stunning home run against the San Diego Padres, Colon struggled in his next start in L.A., giving up five runs in just five innings. Still, Colon has been reliable for most of this season and he will be asked to come up even bigger against a formidable opponent.
Gonzalez, who was a former 20+ game winner back in 2012, is quietly off to a good start going 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA. With the Mets carrying a good number of left handed hitters, Gio will still be a tough matchup for them.
Game 3: Matt Harvey, RHP vs Steven Strasburg, RHP
Unless the Mets decide to go with Steven Matz – who was cleared of any ligament damage yesterday – it will be The Dark Knight facing off with the 6-0 Strasburg, who just recently got a new massive contract extension. Unlike Stras, Harvey has not been himself all year, and it is starting to become baffling after more than a month.
If only Harvey pitched like the Dark Knight this matchup would’ve been just as hyped as the Scherzer-Syndergaard in the opener. Mets fans can only hope that the division rival Nats coming to town, which could create a playoff atmosphere along with Strasburg on the other side, could finally wake up Harvey who always has had a flair for the dramatics.
Harvey has had past success pitching against Strasburg, beating him twice back in 2013 and 2015, both in April. Harvey was much better in those stretches than he has been so far this year so the Mets will need the old Harvey back.
