Noah Syndergaard, accurately nicknamed Thor both because of resemblance and fact that both can really drop the hammer, is the hardest throwing starting pitcher in the league. In his second year, the 24-year-old right hander is, at his most average, nearly unhittable. He’s likely the front runner for the National League Cy Young Award this season (though Max Scherzer’s 20 wins and Kyle Hendricks near 2.00 ERA may tantalize voters, only the dearly departed Jose Fernandez and Syndergaard’s league leading fWAR exceed 6.0 for pitchers).
Opposite of him tonight is a former World Series MVP, who’s planted himself firmly in the Cy Young picture himself (5th in fWAR, one rung down from teammate and former Red Johnny Cueto).