Max Scherzer will start opening day for the Nationals. (Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports)
The Washington Nationals named right-hander Max Scherzer as the team’s Opening Day starter on April 6 against the New York Mets at Nationals Park.
Manager Matt Williams made the announcement Monday.
It will be the first Opening Day start of Scherzer’s career. Washington’s last three Opening Day starts have gone to right-hander Stephen Strasburg.
Scherzer, who won the American League Cy Young Award in 2013, joined the Nationals this offseason after signing a seven-year, $210 million contract in January.
In 2014 for the Detroit Tigers, Scherzer went 18-5 with a 3.15 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 220 1/3 innings over 33 starts. He has recorded at least 230 strikeouts in three straight season, at least 15 wins in four straight seasons and at least 30 starts in six straight seasons.
In his first spring training with the Nationals, Scherzer has allowed three runs in 14 innings and leads the team in strikeouts with 14.
