Washington Nationals Player of the Week: Max Scherzer
By Pablo Roa
Max Scherzer has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. And after another dominant week on the mound, he earns our Washington Nationals Player of the Week honors.
The Washington Nationals have been one of the game’s best teams this season, and they could go into the postseason as a World Series favorite. And while the team as a whole has played well this season, there’s no doubt that the Nationals are where they are today because of their superb pitching staff.
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Perhaps the team’s most dominant pitcher this season has been Max Scherzer. And last week, he was arguably the team’s best player.
In two starts last week, the veteran right-hander pitched 16 dominant innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out 21 batters over that span. His best start of the week was Aug. 25 against the Orioles, when he pitched eight scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out 10 betters.
On the season, Scherzer is now 15-7 with a 2.89 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.
Needless to say, the Nationals need Scherzer to stay healthy and productive down the stretch and into the postseason. He’s the ace of the rotation and a leader in the clubhouse, and expectations are high for what could be his first postseason in a Nationals uniform.
Scherzer likely still has a few more starts to go before October. And if he continues to pitch like he has over the last week and for most of the season, he’ll undoubtedly be in the conversation for the NL Cy Young Award at the end of the year.