Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
Things could not get much worse for Matt Harvey professionally.
The 27-year-old right-hander has endured the worst start to a season in his young career. Tuesday, he was badly outperformed by Nationals rioght-hander Stephen Strasburg for the second time in a week.
MORE: Should fans worry about these struggling aces?
This time, Harvey gave up five runs and eight hits (three home runs) in five innings as the Mets lost 7-4. Harvey is now 3-7 with a 6.08 ERA for the season. Strasburg was masterful once again. He allowed just two runs in 6 2/3 innings while striking out 11 and walking two. The 27-year-old hurler is now 8-0 with a 2.79 ERA this year.
GATTO: Harvey leaves teammates to answer for him, at least to media
It's still early in the season, but so far the story between these two pitchers appears to be a microcosm of their respective teams overall. The Nationals are just better right now.
Player of the Day
Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco went 3 for 5 with a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored in his team's 12-1 victory over the Diamondbacks. Polanco is now batting .307 on the season and has arguably been the best of the team's three talented outfielders.
Highlight
Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Díaz tracks back to make an unreal catch, which set up a double play:
UNREAL, Aledmys. https://t.co/qW2nCuVFalhttps://t.co/r4NfwbqgTj
— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2016
Three things to know
— Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. extended his hitting streak to 28 games, which is halfway to Joe DiMaggio's record of 56 set in 1941.
— Braves pitcher Julio Teheran, who struck out four batters in the second inning due to a wild pitch, did the mathematically improbable by recording seven strikeouts in two innings. The last to do it was Rays pitcher Alex Cobb in 2013.
— Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez became the sixth pitcher in baseball history to reach 400 saves since the stat became official in 1969.
What's next
Mets (26-19) at Nationals (28-18), 1:05 p.m. ET: After a scintillating start to the season, Washington is starting to give up some ground. Tanner Roark (3-3, 2.89 ERA) will try to outduel Steven Matz (6-1, 2.81 ERA) and help the Nats win the series.
Cubs (30-14) at Cardinals (24-22), 1:45 p.m. ET: When Jake Arrieta (8-0, 1.29 ERA) pitches, everyone should pay attention. He's that good. Carlos Martinez (4-4, 3.56 ERA) , who has been St. Louis' best starter his season, will have to raise his game even more to defeat the reigning NL Cy Young winner.