Washington Nationals News: Max Scherzer aims to improve location, limit HRs
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily features stories on what Max Scherzer needs to do to overcome his early season struggles and more on how the Washington Nationals have yet to pick up Mike Rizzo’s two-year option.
Good afternoon DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Jamal Collier writes about Max Scherzer’s struggles in yesterday’s loss to the Cubs and how he hopes to improve on the mound. As Collier writes, Scherzer has struggled to locate his pitches and has surrendered far too many home runs in 2016.
Scherzer, of course, is the team’s ace and the Nationals need him to be at his best all year long. Our own Ricky Keeler wrote earlier today that it might be time to start worrying about Scherzer, who has now allowed the most home runs in the majors.
As Collier writes, Scherzer hopes to be able to make quick adjustments and return to his dominant form in the near future. Here’s what Scherzer had to say about his struggles, via Collier’s article:
"“Obviously, I’m catching a little too much plate, but at the same time, maybe I was a little too predictable in what I was doing,” he said. “That’s something for me to just chew on for the next four days and try to come back out here and compete and do what I do.”"
Also in today’s Daily, Federal Baseball’s Patrick Reddington discusses the contract situation between the Nationals and general manager Mike Rizzo. As Reddington notes, the team has until June 15 to pick up the option in Rizzo’s contract, which would keep him in charge through 2018. In his article, Reddington also looks back at the controversies surrounding Rizzo’s hiring in 2009.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Scherzer aims to improve location, limit HRs
CHICAGO — Max Scherzer has allowed the most home runs in the Majors this season.
That surprising fact comes after Scherzer surrendered four home runs (matching a career high) against the Cubs in Friday afternoon’s 8-6 loss at Wrigley Field, leaving him and the Nationals looking for answers as to why his home run total stands at nine through his first seven starts.
Scherzer’s issues with the long ball date back to the second half of last season. He ended up allowing 27 homers in 228 2/3 innings. He was not sure whether he could attribute this season’s homer issues to the same problem, but it was something he would reflect on between outings. Read full article here.
In Rizzo We Trust?: What are the Washington Nationals waiting for?
(Patrick Reddington, Federal Baseball)
Before Mike Rizzo was hired as Washington’s full-time general manager on Thursday, August 20, 2009, after serving on an interim basis for the Nationals throughout the ’09 season, there was a bit of drama in the nation’s capital.
For a time, at least according to published reports, it appeared as if someone else might get the job.
Next: Time to be concerned about Max Scherzer
Once he was officially announced as the full-time GM, Rizzo was asked about the week he went through leading up to the final decision and the published reports which said he would not get the job. Read full article here.