The Mets continue a four-game series at home against the Nationals on Friday. Here are tonight’s pitching matchups…
Matt Harvey (4-0, 3.04 ERA) will start for the Mets. After a shaky start pitching with the flu and a mild sprain in his ankle against the Marlins, Harvey dominated against the Yankees in the Bronx last Saturday. The Yankees were aggressive, swinging early and often to avoid getting to two strikes–it didn’t work. Harvey went 8.2 innings, coming just shy of a complete game, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven. Tonight he goes up against the Nationals in a game the Mets need to have to stop the bleeding. Harvey’s first start of the season came against Washington, where he struck out nine in six innings, allowing no runs and getting the win.
Key matchups vs Harvey:
Denard Span: 2-for-11, 3B, 4 K.
Bryce Harper: 0-for-10, 5 K.
Ian Desmond: 4-for-11, 2B, HR, 3 BB.
Jayson Werth: 3-for-10, 6 K.
Max Scherzer (1-2, 1.26 ERA) will start for the Nationals. Scherzer, dealing with a strained right thumb, last pitched nine days ago, going seven innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out four. The Nats $210M dollar man has been great in four starts this season, posting an ERA barely over 1.00, but has been a hard luck loser, as displayed in his 1-2 record. Aside from one start, the Nationals offense hasn’t supported Scherzer at all, scoring just 11 runs in his 28.2 innings on the mound. Scherzer went 7.2 innings on Opening Day vs. the Mets, allowing three runs (none earned), striking out eight and taking the loss.
Key matchups vs. Scherzer:
Michael Cuddyer: 5-for-21, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 6 K.
Lucas Duda: 2-for-4, 2 RBI.
Curtis Granderson: 4-for-14, HR, 2 RBI, 4 BB.
Juan Lagares: 0-for-5, 4 K.
Just Mets 