Mets set to make history in Sunday doubleheader

Mets pitcher Justin Verlander Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Mets set to make history with starting pitchers for Sunday doubleheader

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 5/20/23

The New York Mets getting rained out against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday is going to give them a chance to make some unique history in a doubleheader on Sunday.

In that doubleheader the Mets are going to throw two pitchers who have each won three Cy Young Awards in Max Scherzer (the game one starter) and Justin Verlander (the game two starter). That will be the first time in Major League Baseball history that happens.

Oddly enough, the Mets are also the only team that has thrown two pitchers with at least two Cy Young Awards in both ends of a doubleheader when Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana both went for them during the 2008 season.

with Max Scherzer & Justin Verlander, the Mets would be the first team to start pitchers who have each won 3+ Cy Youngs in both ends of a doubleheader

in fact, only team to start pitchers who had even won 2+ CYA in a DH is ALSO the Mets:

9/7/08: Pedro Martínez & Johan Santana
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 20, 2023

That is a fun fact and the type of thing that is possible when your roster has two of the best pitchers of their era in its starting rotation.

Verlander joined the Mets this offseason as a free agent, replacing Jacob deGrom after he signed in free agency with the Texas Rangers.

Scherzer and Verlander have both struggled so far this season for a Mets team that has been a bit of a disappointment, but they still have the track records and ability to rapidly turn things around. The problem for the Mets is that Scherzer and Verlander have both dealt with injuries, something that should also be expected with two pitchers in their late 30s being counted on to lead a rotation.

The Mets are 23-23 entering play on Sunday, six games out of first place in the National League East.

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