An Elite Mets Duo Took Over On Sunday
New York Mets ace Max Scherzer was heavily affected by oblique injuries last season and had to deal with a shoulder scare this April, not to mention some annoying neck discomfort in May.
That ailment forced him to skip one start.
He also had to endure a 10-game suspension for allegedly using too much rosin in a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Justin Verlander, the Mets’ co-ace alongside Scherzer, was all set to begin the season when he suffered a shoulder injury that was announced just before Opening Day.
He had to watch from afar how the Mets rotation struggled to establish some consistency.
After missing a little more than a month of action, he returned earlier in May.
For a day, the stars aligned for the two veteran workhorses to deliver a masterful pitching performance against the Cleveland Guardians.
Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer today:
14 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K 😤 pic.twitter.com/eRzuiVpFbQ
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 22, 2023
The Mets and Guardians played a doubleheader on Sunday.
In the matinee, Scherzer held Cleveland scoreless for six innings.
He accumulated five punchouts in the afternoon, even with reduced fastball velocity.
Then, in the nightcap, it was Verlander’s turn to show where he is at physically.
He dominated the Guardians for eight innings, allowing just a Jose Ramirez home run.
Verlander took his record to 2-2 in four starts since returning, conceding just three hits and no walks while striking out five.
As SNY’s picture says, the Mets had a pair of aces on Sunday.
It’s really hard to beat that hand, both in poker and in baseball.
If they are healthy, they should be among the National League’s best pitchers all year long.