It’s not exactly the fight of the century or even the Thrilla In Manilla, but when the Mets’ Matt Harvey and the Tigers’ Max Scherzer oppose each other on Saturday at Citi Field, it will mark the first time in MLB history that both All-Star Game starters have faced off at any point during the same regular season.
According to the Wall Street Journal, All-Star starters have only matched up twice before, both in the World Series: Paul Derringer (Reds) versus Red Ruffing (Yankees) in Game 1 in 1939, and Roger Clemens (Red Sox) versus Dwight Gooden (Mets) in Game 2 in 1986.
Whether by design or just mere coincidence, the Mets’ decision to have Harvey pitch on an extra day of rest made what should be an entertaining pitching showdown all possible.
Unlike Harvey’s last start when Travis d’Arnaud caught him against the Padres, Terry Collins said he plans to have John Buck catch his ace today at 4:05 PM.
“They’ve been together for 25 or 26 starts,” Collins said last night. “They’re pretty comfortable. And Travis will have 15 years to make up that ground.”
It’s amazing how evenly these two match up…
Scherzer is 18-1 with a 2.82 ERA and a league leading 0.89 WHIP this season. In 172.1 innings pitched, he’s allowed just 117 hits, 38 walks while striking out 185 batters.
Harvey is 9-4 with a 2.25 ERA and an identical 0.89 WHIP for the Mets, and in 171.2 innings pitched he’s allowed 122 hits, walked 31 and struck out 187 batters.
This oughta be one heck of a pitcher’s duel, so get your popcorn ready and enjoy the show.
