In a rematch of the 2022 Wild Card series, the Mets topped the Padres 5-0 at Citi Field. Max Scherzer took the mound at home for the first time this season, and though he pitched five scoreless innings, none of it came easy for Mad Max.
Facing a lineup that gave him trouble in the postseason last fall, Scherzer dealt with five full counts in his first time through the order. This, along with three walks, meant Scherzer had a pitch count that was very high. Because of that, Scherzer only pitched 5 innings, working around trouble the entire time he was on the mound. While inefficient, the 5 innings Scherzer did pitch were very effective, as he allowed just one hit while striking out six…
