How the Big 3 match up for NL Cy Young

Sabermetric fanatics would have a field day if Jacob deGrom defied traditional baseball logic to claim the NL Cy Young award. Mets fans, too, can only hope. The three leading candidates for the award put their stuff on display Thursday, as deGrom faced off against the Giants, while Max Scherzer and his Nationals took on Aaron Nola’s Phillies.

Here’s a look at where each stand following the action.

DEGROM | 8-8, 1.71 ERA, 214 SO:

For a while, it seemed like the Mets finally learned how to produce for their ace. Then the bats went silent Thursday as deGrom picked up his first loss since Aug. 3. DeGrom gave up just two runs (one earned) and four hits, while striking out 10 in six innings during the 3-1 loss. Could a pitcher hovering around .500 take home the Cy Young? Well, Felix Hernandez did it back in 2010 with a 13-12 record. Just a head’s up: deGrom’s stat line, as of now, is better than that of King Felix eight years ago.

SCHERZER | 16-6, 2.13 ERA, 244 SO

Mad Max got the deGrom treatment Thursday, as the Nationals failed him in a 2-0 loss to the Phillies. Scherzer pitched seven masterful innings, his only blemish giving up a two-run home Odubel Herrera. He struck out 10 and allowed just two hits as the Nats continue to see their contending window close.

NOLA | 15-3, 2.13 ERA, 169 SO

The 25-year-old made a statement in his head-to-head duel with the threetime Cy Young winner. Eight innings, nine strikeouts and five hits given up. Unlike his competitors, Nola is pitching meaningful games for a squad fighting for its playoff life.

BONUS STAT:

The three combined for 29 strikeouts in 21 innings Thursday.