The Mets came into Houston in a precarious position. They had split with the Yankees and lost the series to the Cardinals over the week before, and they had to come face a Houston Astros team that, while missing their best hitter in Yordan Álvarez, were still the defending World Series champions with an incredibly good pitching staff. The Mets were throwing Max Scherzer in their first game, and Scherzer had had two straight starts prior where he gave up at least five runs. The Mets needed him to be better so they could have a chance of winning.
Scherzer sparkles as Mets pick up a needed win
