Nats will look to run today vs. Syndergaard

If Thursday's season opener was an indication of things to come, Trea Turner is going to run a lot this season. If the Nationals did their scouting, Turner shouldn't be the only one running a lot today against Noah Syndergaard.

A perfect convergence of natural speed, organizational philosophy and matchups comes together this afternoon when the Nats face the Mets and their No. 2 starter.

Syndergaard, for all his talents as a pitcher, is one of the majors' worst at stopping the running game. And the Nationals have exploited that fact over the years, successfully taking 16 of the 17 bases they've attempted to steal against the big right-hander.

Turner, who was 3-for-3 against Jacob deGrom on opening day, figures to be the focal point this afternoon. That would be the case no matter who was pitching, given the club's consistent message to the speedster all spring about being more aggressive on the bases this season.

"The mindset for him this year is always get to second base," manager Davey Martinez said. "When he's on first, always get to second base. He knows once (the pitcher begins his delivery), and he knows it, he's gone."

Turner's thievery on opening day didn't pay off with any runs crossing the plate, but he's not going to ease off the gas pedal. How does he determine when to take the risk?

"Just the math," he said. "The situation, scoreboard, what's going on, how do I feel, if I'm reading him right and if this is a good time to go. Just trying to get in scoring position for those guys behind me. They can really hit. And they're pretty patient hitters, so that gives me a chance to steal. Hopefully, next time we can put some runs up."

Martinez hopes others in the lineup took notice of Turner in the season's first game.

"Absolutely," he said. "When (Victor) Robles gets on, (Adam) Eaton gets on, I want them to have the ability to steal in certain situations. That's part of our game. We're athletic. (Brian) Dozier even knows. Dozier's a really good situational basestealer, so when he gets on base I'd like to see him go as well."

Note: The Nationals now plan to send Max Scherzer to the mound on regular rest for Tuesday night's highly anticipated series opener against Bryce Harper and the Phillies, with Aníbal Sánchez going Wednesday afternoon in the series finale.

In revealing his season-opening rotation plans late in spring training, Martinez had said the team would use its top four starters (Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, Sánchez) in order, with No. 5 starter Jeremy Hellickson staying in the bullpen because of off-days.

Now, though, Scherzer will make his second start of the season before Sánchez makes his first. And that start will just happen to come in Harper's return to Washington for the first time as a visiting player.