Game 2 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

The day after opening day is usually among the least anticipated games of the season. The crowd thins out considerably, as does the press box, and the reality of the long, 162-grind begins to set in. Except this is no ordinary day after opening day. Because a certain three-time Cy Young Award winner is going to be on the mound for the visitors, facing his former team for the first time.

Yes, it’s Max Scherzer Night on South Capitol Street, and it promises to be eventful. The former staff ace and postseason hero makes his Mets debut, and does so against the Nationals in D.C. He also does so with a tweaked hamstring that left his status for this start in some doubt over the last week. Scherzer is good to go tonight, but as we’ve seen before when he’s less than 100 percent, the leash may be a lot shorter than we’re used to.

And then as if Scherzer’s return wasn’t a big enough deal, he’s going to be opposed by one of the four prospects he was traded for last July: Josiah Gray. It’s tempting to view this is a huge start for Gray, and certainly there could be some added pressure on the 24-year-old to perform well on this stage. In the big picture, of course, this isn’t a make-or-break start for Gray. But it sure would be nice for him to live up to the billing, along with Keibert Ruiz (who very much lived up to the billing on Thursday night).

As you probably know by now, tonight’s game can only be watched on Apple TV+, the first of two such scheduled Friday night games for the Nationals. No paid subscription is required for this game, but you will need to download the Apple TV app to watch.

NEW YORK METS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: Apple TV+
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, MLB.com
Weather: Rain arriving, 59 degrees, wind 7 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
2B César Hernández
RF Juan Soto
DH Nelson Cruz
1B Josh Bell
C Keibert Ruiz
LF Yadiel Hernandez
3B Maikel Franco
SS Alcides Escobar
CF Dee Strange-Gordon

RHP Josiah Gray


METS
CF Brandon Nimmo
RF Starling Marte
SS Francisco Lindor
1B Pete Alonso
3B Eduardo Escobar
DH Robinson Canó
LF Mark Canha
2B Jeff NcNeil
C Tomás Nido

RHP Max Scherzer