New York Mets aces Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer pitched in Sunday’s spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
deGrom opened the game and tossed three innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits, no walks, and striking out five.
Scherzer, who is stretched out for a bigger workload at the moment, pitched six frames and conceded just two runs.
Max Max’s walk-to-strikeout ratio was a stellar 1/7.
One of the funniest moments of the game was when Scherzer mocked deGrom.
“Max Scherzer attempting to top Jacob deGrom’s Spring Training Shake record. These guys are gonna compete all year,” Rob Friedman, the “Pitching Ninja”, said via Twitter, with a laughing emoji.
Max Scherzer attempting to top Jacob deGrom's Spring Training Shake record.
These guys are gonna compete all year. 😂 pic.twitter.com/QeqJvUUFxA
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 27, 2022
Scherzer appeared to mock deGrom’s incessant shakes in yesterday’s game, with a grin.
Of course, deGrom did it earlier in the game, as you can see here:
Jacob deGrom with a new Spring Training record for Shakes. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qubKIUpOwX
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 27, 2022
Two Competitive Beasts
Even if they are joking around this time, the two pitchers are known as two of the most competitive players in MLB.
It will not be a surprise to watch them compete with each other all season long, to see who finishes with better numbers and who can help the team the most.
It would all be within the boundaries of a healthy competition, and it will be a joy to watch from afar.
Scherzer had a 2.46 ERA in 179.1 innings between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers, while deGrom had a microscopic 1.08 ERA but could stay on the mound for just 92 frames.
The 2022 season will be fun to watch for outside observers, so imagine what it will be like for Mets fans.
Their hope is that the two pitching stars can carry the Mets to their first World Series title since 1986.
