Max Scherzer is scheduled to make his first start at Dodger Stadium since signing a record-setting three-year contract with the New York Mets prior to the 2022 regular season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers sent shockwaves across MLB when they acquired Scherzer and Trea Turner in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Nationals at the 2021 deadline.
Scherzer went on a historical run with the Dodgers as he posted a perfect 7-0 record, 1.98 ERA, 1.96 FIP, 0.82 WHIP and 11.7 strikeouts per nine in 11 starts to close out the season.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner became a free agent at the end of the year and drew widespread interest from teams. While the Dodgers made an effort to re-sign him, Scherzer ultimately joined the Mets and received record-setting average annual salary.
Scherzer enjoyed a strong first season with the Mets that saw him go 11-5 with a 2.29 ERA, 2.62 FIP, 0.91 WHIP and 10.7 strikeouts per nine in 145.1 innings pitched over 23 starts.
The future Hall of Famer did not face the Dodgers, however, as he was recovering from a left oblique injury when the Mets played at Dodger Stadium last June, and similarly missed his former team during a series at Citi Field in August.
That changes this week as Scherzer is the Mets’ scheduled starter for Wednesday’s series finale against the Dodgers. The 38-year-old will face Noah Syndergaard, who pitched in parts of six seasons for the Mets from 2015-2021.
Scherzer was initially scheduled to pitch against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, but that was delayed due to back soreness.
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.
The Dodgers send Dustin May to the mound in Monday’s series opener against the Mets, and he is opposed by David Peterson. The following matchup sees Clayton Kershaw and Tylor Megill face off, and the series finale is due to be a battle between Syndergaard and Scherzer.
Max Scherzer career against Dodgers
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.
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