After splitting the first two games of their series, the Los Angeles Dodgers host the New York Mets in a rubber match at Dodger Stadium that features the return of Max Scherzer.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner went on a historical run after being traded to the Dodgers at the deadline in 2021 as he posted a perfect 7-0 record, 1.98 ERA, 1.96 FIP, 0.82 WHIP and 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings over 11 starts to close out the season.
Scherzer went on to join the New York Mets on a record-breaking contract and continued pitching at a high level in his first season with the team, but did not face the Dodgers.
The right-hander has gotten off to an uncharacteristically slow start this season as he is just 2-1 with a 4.41 ERA, 6.08 FIP, 1.22 and 7.7 strikeouts per nine in 16.1 innings across three starts.
Scherzer is a career 5-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 16 games (14 starts) against the Dodgers. He went 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA across two starts when last facing L.A. during the 2021 season.
Scherzer has historically fared well at Dodger Stadium, where he’s a lifetime 7-3 with a 2.64 ERA across 14 starts. That includes his time pitching there as a member of the Dodgers.
L.A. counters with Noah Syndergaard, who pitched in parts of six seasons for the Mets from 2015-2021. The 30-year-old is making his first career start against his former team.
Syndergaard has endured some struggles thus far with the Dodgers, going 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA, 4.46 FIP and 1.25 WHIP in 16 innings pitched (three starts). However, he is coming off an encouraging outing against the Chicago Cubs that saw him allow three runs over six innings and collect nine strikeouts.
Syndergaard’s fastball velocity was down in that outing, which he attributed to overthrowing between starts. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Syndergaard curtailed some of his throwing heading into Wednesday’s game.
Roberts indicated Mookie Betts would return from the paternity test for the team’s series finale against the Mets and play shortstop, but the six-time All-Star remains with his family.
Miguel Rojas was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain and the Dodgers recalled Yonny Hernández from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Chris Taylor remains unavailable as he continues to recover from left oblique discomfort.
Dodgers lineup
CF: James Outman
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: J.D. Martinez
3B: Max Muncy
RF: Jason Heyward
2B: Miguel Vargas
LF: David Peralta
SS: Luke Williams
C: Austin Wynns
Mets lineup
CF: Brandon Nimmo
RF: Starling Marte
SS: Francisco Lindor
1B: Pete Alonso
LF: Jeff McNeil
DH: Daniel Vogelbach
3B: Brett Baty
C: Francisco Álvarez
2B: Luis Guillorme
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