SCHERZER’S SEASON FOR THE AGES
So, you thought Max Scherzer’s masterpiece against the San Diego Padres was his best game of the year? Ha!
Against the Giants he tossed a complete game, striking out 11. As he scattered five hits and a run on May 31, he did it with 100 pitches.
Since his bad—for him—start against Atlanta, Scherzer has lowered his ERA from 3.02 to 2.35. Against the Dodgers, he did not allow an earned run in seven innings. He passed Kershaw, tossing 14 strikeouts, as the active leader in double-digit strikeout games with 55.
Over the last 24.2 innings, opponents managed two earned runs, 11 hits and 38 strikeouts. Control? Yeah, five walks in that stretch.
We rightly marvel at what Kershaw does, but Scherzer is having his best season ever. Not bad for a guy owning two Cy Young awards. Although his Adjusted ERA+ of 181 does not lead the NL, his 114 strikeouts, 0.877 WHIP, 5.8 hits-per-9 and 12.2 K/9 do.
The best part is Scherzer is not laboring to do it. In his last four starts, his total pitch count is 419. You need to go back to May 9 against the Baltimore Orioles to find a start over 110 pitches.
Flat out dealing.