It was dubbed a pitching matchup of the new guard versus the old guard, the up-and-comer against the grizzled vet, today’s hits mashed up with throwback music on a baseball diamond near you.
“It’s a little bit of new school versus old school,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “Don’t tell Ver I said that.”
Justin Verlander, old school, didn’t hear any of it.
Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard, new school, is what Verlander used to be, with the fastball he used to have and a youthful confidence exuberating from his slow walk to the mound.
“I’ve had plenty of games facing off against somebody who’s superb,” Verlander said.