Verlander, Scherzer a historic twin-bill starting duo

May 20th, 2023

NEW YORK -- The Mets entered this season buoyed by the promise of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander anchoring their rotation. Sunday, they'll get to see both on the same day.

Saturday's game between the Mets and Guardians was postponed due to rain, setting up a split doubleheader Sunday at Citi Field with start times at 1:40 ET and 7:10 p.m. Scherzer and Verlander will start the two games in an order to be announced.

With Scherzer and Verlander, the Mets would be the first team to start pitchers who have each won three or more Cy Young Awards in both ends of a doubleheader. They are already the only team to start pitchers who had even won two or more Cy Youngs: Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana against the Phillies on Sept. 7, 2008. (Martinez lost the first game; Santana won the second.)

In addition, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Scherzer and Verlander are the first two pitchers to have won at least 200 games to start since Tommy John and Joe Niekro started for the Yankees against the Mariners. John lost the opener, while Niekro won Game 2.

It should create what the Mets hope will be a banner day at Citi Field, after some false starts this season for both aces. Scherzer has made only six appearances due to a nagging back injury and a sticky stuff suspension. Verlander missed the first five weeks of the season because of a teres major muscle strain.

But both are back in the rotation now, giving a Mets team that's won three in a row hope that it can embark on a consistent run.

The forecast around New York City is clearer on Sunday, setting up what should be a memorable doubleheader. Fans with tickets for Saturday's game can use them for the matinee on Sunday or exchange them for a game later this season. The Francisco Lindor bobblehead giveaway that was originally scheduled for Saturday will also shift to Sunday afternoon. Full information on the team's rainout policies is available at Mets.com/Rain.

The 1:40 p.m. game will be broadcast on WPIX, while the 7:10 game will air on ESPN.