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Max Scherzer Facing Matt Harvey Is Must-See TV

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Matt Harvey Mets

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals and New York Mets play Game 2 of their four-game series tonight at Citi Field in New York City. The matchup of the two teams may not blow your skirt up, but the starting pitchers squaring off should make it one of the most exciting games to watch all season. It’s ace versus ace when the Nationals’ Max Scherzer faces off against the Mets’ Matt Harvey.

Scherzer will be making his first start in 10 days after jamming his thumb in an at-bat against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 23. He currently carries a 1.26 ERA through four starts and a 29-to-four strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has been a bit unfortunate though, as he possesses a 1-2 record thanks to the 3.25 run support average in his starts given to him by his offense. Scherzer also has fallen victim to the defensive inefficiencies behind him that have cost him a win or two.

The Nationals signed Scherzer for this exact purpose: to win these kind of playoff atmosphere games. That’s the main reason behind his seven-year, $210 million contract. He is expected to win these types of games against other team’s aces along with playoff games and playoff clinchers. He is the man now in Washington, and tonight is the night for him to prove it.

Harvey is unflappable. He is the heart and soul of the Mets and won’t back down from a challenge. Harvey has passed David Wright as the face of the franchise, and he embraces everything about playing in New York. Through his first 40 career starts, Harvey owns a 2.45 ERA and holds a 16-10 record, including a 4-0 record this season. His ERA is about a half a run higher this season sitting at 3.04, but it hasn’t mattered because he has the seventh-best run support average of 6.75 provided to him by his offense. If Harvey continues to get that type of run support, he may not lose a game this season.

I expect tonight to be a tightly contested ballgame with very little offense as long as Scherzer and Harvey are in the game. The key to the game could be which offense can work the opposing starter’s pitch count up and get him out of the game to get to the bullpen, which is probably the biggest weakness for both teams. I think that Harvey and the Mets will take this game, 3-1, because the Nationals’ offense has always struggled when facing him. Harvey has a career ERA under 1.00 against the team from Washington D.C. in five career starts. Even though that may be a small sample size, it seems like more than just a trend. No matter who wins, do yourself a favor and watch this amazing duel tonight.

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