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Quite An Early Test: Mets To Face Max Scherzer On Opening Day

VIERA, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Mets' lineup will face a stiff challenge right from the get-go.

Max Scherzer will be the opening day starter for the Washington Nationals instead of Stephen Strasburg, who has made the previous three opening day starts. The Nationals open the season April 6 at home against the Mets.

Manager Matt Williams made the announcement before Monday's game against the New York Yankees.

Scherzer, who never started on opening day for the Detroit Tigers despite winning the Cy Young Award in 2013, signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with Washington in the offseason.

He was 82-35 with a 3.52 ERA in his five seasons with Detroit.

Williams didn't announce the rest of his rotation. This spring, the Nationals have gone with Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann, Strasburg, Doug Fister and Gio Gonzalez.

Bartolo Colon is expected to start the opener for New York.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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