Max Scherzer. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, May 14, 2023 • 4:35 PM
Nationals Park • Washington, DC
RHP Max Scherzer (2-2, 5.56) vs. RHP Jake Irvin (1-0, 0.84)
SNY

The Mets and Nationals play the game they were supposed to play at around 1:35 pm ET today at 4:35 pm ET as Max Scherzer returns to the rotation and takes on Jake Irvin. In Game 1 earlier this afternoon, the Mets’ numerous attempts at a come-from-behind victory fizzled out and they lost 3-2. They’ll look to avoid being swept in a doubleheader for the second-straight time this season in Game 2.

Mets Lineup

Max Scherzer’s was scratched from his last start due to neck spasms. His injury kept the Mets’ rotation for this weekend a mystery as New York needed to figure out how slot him back into the rotation.

This season, Scherzer has made five starts (22 2/3 innings) with a 5.56 ERA, 6.29 FIP, 1.412 WHIP and a 76 ERA+. His last start was his first since his suspension and he allowed six runs from eight hits, including two home runs, over 3 1/3 innings. Last season, Scherzer faced the Nationals three times totaling 17 2/3 innings and had a 3.06 ERA (0.906 WHIP). The Nationals have the following career numbers against him:

Nationals Lineup:

The Mets’ bats draw rookie Jake Irvin today who has allowed only one earned run via six hits and seven walks in his first 10 2/3 major league innings. Before getting called up, Irvin was having a rough go of it in Rochester (Triple-A) where over 22 1/3 innings he allowed 14 runs from 23 hits and 11 walks (5.64 ERA), but he also struck out 20 batters.

Game Notes

Zach Muckenhirn is the Mets’ 27th man for Game 2 of the doubleheader.

The Mets have activated left-handed reliever Brooks Raley off the injured list. In a corresponding move, they’ve designated Dennis Santana for assignment.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. How hard do the Nationals hit Scherzer? One of the most alarming things for Scherzer this season has been how hard he’s been hit. He’s in the 18th percentile for average exit velocity, 37th for hard hit percentage, 13th for expected slugging, and seventh for barrel. We’ll probably know within the first two innings today if Scherzer has been able to make adjustments.
  2. One more Scherzer note. Max Scherzer dominated his starts last season – except when he had to play his hold club in D.C. He opened the season against them last year and allowed three runs over six innings. Later, he he allowed three runs, two earned over 6 2/3 innings. Both he and the Mets would take both of those starts in a heartbeat today.
  3. More Francisco Álvarez. With Michael Pérez catching the first game today, we’ll get to see more of the Mets’ top prospect later in the afternoon. Álvarez has impressed so much already with bat and glove. Álvarez is already in the 92nd percentile for maximum exit velocity and he’s in the 90th percentile for pitch framing.