Blue Jays' Max Scherzer on consecutive rough outings and what's next going forward

For the second straight start, Max Scherzer was shelled in the first inning, allowing three runs on five hits as the visiting Boston Red went on to pummel the Blue Jays 7-1.

Unlike his previous start in Kansas City, Scherzer did finish the first inning, then put up zeroes in the next three before surrendering a leadoff homer in the fifth inning, his last of the night. In all, he gave up four runs on 10 hits and struck out five.

Back-to-back losses to Boston dropped the Jays' record to 1-6 in their past seven, with offence being the primary culprit.

In each of those six losses, the Jays have been held to one run or less while, collectively, they went 22-for-181 at the plate, a terrible .121 average.

Sportsnet field reporter Hazel Mae asked the hall of famer how he will handle his latest woes going forward:

This year, Scherzer owns a 12.96 ERA in the first inning through 17 starts, allowing 24 earned runs off 33 hits.

These stats reflect the three earned runs he surrendered against the Red Sox last night, and before that, he went into the outing with a 12.06 ERA through 15 2/3 innings, allowing 21 earned runs.

Opponents posted a .384/.438/.753 slash line with a 1.191 OPS during those 16 starts (not including last night), and seven of his 19 home runs this season have come in the first inning.

Through four starts in September, Scherzer owns a 10.20 ERA through 15 innings of work, allowing 17 hits off of 24 hits while walking seven.

That's an uptick across the board, and while he did strike out 20 batters this last month, opposing bats are teeing off on his pitches (.348/.408/.623 with a 1.031 OPS).

Whether it's because he is tipping pitches again due to his glove placement or a few too many mistake pitches, opposing bats are barrelling the right-hander (12.4%), and he is working with a 10 pitching run value.

It will be interesting to see how Blue Jays manager John Schneider uses Scherzer going forward.

He may want to proceed with caution, Scherzer's struggles against the Red Sox aren't just a reminder of how bad this season has been for him, rather how bad the end of his career has been.

And in the end, it could cost the Blue Jays a shot at the division title and possibly even a playoff run.