Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets and Giants series kicks off with a doubleheader starting Tuesday afternoon. Though the start time was delayed some hours, the pitching matchups between the 7-2 San Francisco Giants and 7-3 New York Mets make up a must-watch event.
Game 1, Tuesday 3:10 PM
Alex Cobb (1-0, 3.60) vs. Tylor Megill (2-0, 0.00)
The 34-year-old Cobb signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Giants this last offseason. Cobb has made one start this season, going five innings and striking out 10. Cobb has seemingly tapped into another level of velocity with all his pitches up in miles per hour across the board.
Megill has been perfect in his first two starts. Through 10 and a third innings pitched, Megill has allowed six hits, walked none, and struck out 11 batters. The Giants will be his toughest test yet after starts against the Nationals and Phillies.
Game 2, Tuesday TBD
Logan Webb (1-0, 1.29) vs. Max Scherzer (2-0, 3.27)
Webb emerged as a potential ace in his third year in the majors. Webb went 11-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 26 games started. Webb has made two starts this season, resulting in a 1-0 record and 1.29 ERA in 14 innings. His last start against the Padres, Webb pitched eight innings, allowed one run, and struck out seven.
The present ace of the Mets staff has gotten off to a start only unacceptable to a perfectionist. Scherzer allowed three runs in six innings to the Nationals in his first start then allowed just one run in five innings against the Phillies. Scherzer is already up to 96 pitches and will throw as long as he can. Despite being traded to Los Angeles, Scherzer only made one brief appearance against the Giants last season, throwing just a third of an inning.
Game 3, Wednesday 7:10 PM
Carlos Rodon (1-0, 1.50) vs. Chris Bassitt (2-0, 0.75)
The former top prospect for the White Sox, Rodon signed a deal with the Giants this winter. In two starts he’s allowed two runs in 12 innings. He currently leads the majors with 21 strikeouts. He struck out 12 Marlins in just five innings during his first start of the season.
New York’s blockbuster trade addition has been as advertised following his first All-Star season in 2021. Bassitt has allowed just one run in 12 innings pitched. Bassitt, like Scherzer, is fully stretched out and should hover around the 100 pitch mark.
Game 4, Thursday 1:10 PM
Anthony DeSclafani (0-0, 4.32) vs. Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 0.84)
DeSclafani hasn’t had the start to the season he’s hoped for after pitching to a 3.17 ERA in 31 starts last season. DeSclafani is still building his pitch count up, throwing 74 and 64 pitches respectively in his first two starts. The Giants have won each of his starts this season.
Carrasco is showing himself to be the pitcher the Mets traded for when they added Francisco Lindor in 2021. Carrasco has navigated through two starts against the Nationals and Diamondbacks, taking care of business against the bottom of the National League. New York has lost each of Carrasco’s starts despite him only allowing one run in 10 and two-thirds innings.
