Nationals-Mets Series Has October Feel
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's a big night in Flushing Tuesday as the top two teams in the National League East begin a three-game series.
It's only a baseball game in mid-May, but the Washington Nationals-New York Mets series already has an October feel, as this could turn into this year's marquee rivalry in baseball, CBS2's Steve Overmyer reported.
"Yeah, I think it's a big series. Is it the biggest series of the year up until now? Yeah," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Anytime you play in your division, I think it's important. I think they're big games and we've got to play well."
Mets fan Carl Francis said this series has a big-game feel.
"It sure does. I mean, it's exciting … the Mets are 1.5 games out," Francis said.
Two of the game's best pitchers will be taking the mound tonight – Noah Syndergaard for the Mets and Max Scherzer for the Nationals.
Last year, Scherzer no-hit the Mets, and just last week tied a Major League Baseball record by striking out 20 in a game against the Detroit Tigers.
Meanwhile, Syndergaard earned his "Thor" nickname in his last outing by belting two home runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"Two of the best pitchers in the game and they're both coming off dominant starts. Scherzer with 20 strikeouts and Noah doing what he did in L.A., so it should be exciting," Mets' Eric Campbell said.
Not lost in the drama of this game is the return of Daniel Murphy. He set a record by homering in six straight games for the Mets and was named the NLCS MVP for his Ruthian-like performance against the Chicago Cubs in a four-game sweep, hitting .529 and belting four home runs.
Murphy signed a three-year, $37.5 million deal with the Nationals in the offseason.
"It was a fun ride. I wish I had cracked a couple of homers in the World Series," Murphy told reporters.
Fans were split on how they would react to Murphy when he is announced.
"You have to give him credit for what he did for the team, but you gotta appreciate good baseball," Russ Olsen said.
Kaitlyn Shaheazi said, "I'm leaning towards booing because he did go to the Nationals and they are our rivals."
The Mets gave Murphy his NL Championship ring in a private presentation. However, before the game, the Mets will have an in-stadium video tribute for Murphy so the fans can show their appreciation.
CBS Sports reports David Wright has been scratched from the Mets lineup with a sore back.