In the upper chamber of the National League East, this was just the first chapter of a story that will last a season. The Mets and Nationals are the class of the division, built on their rotations and Tuesday night proved once again that their evolving nature could just determine how this year unfurls.
Noah Syndergaard is the Mets' undisputed ace at this moment. He is the man towering over New York in a city deep on pitching talent. At Citi Field, he eviscerated the Nationals over seven innings, striking out 10 and showing that his skills go way beyond a 100 mph fastball.