Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer on why he is getting better with each start
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Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer impresses with latest victory over the Kansas City Royals.
On Saturday against the Kansas City Royals, Scherzer impressed his manager and teammates on the mound as he authored arguably his finest start in a Blue Jays uniform to lift the club to a 4-2 win over the Royals in front of 41,842 at Rogers Centre.
Max Scherzer is getting into a groove within the Blue Jays rotation
Scherzer was in control for most of his six innings, but when he ran into trouble in the third, it offered a closer look at his preparation and how it can manifest in a game.
The right-hander allowed a double to No. 9 hitter Kyle Isbel, who promptly stole third base.
Scherzer then hit the next batter, Jonathan India, to bring Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. to the plate in a key situation during a scoreless game.
The Blue Jays' right-hander challenged Witt Jr. with two straight fastballs before getting him to foul a slider into the glove of catcher Tyler Heineman.
Max Scherzer over his last two starts: 13 IP 4 ER 0 BB 16 K
That's what the Blue Jays had in mind when they took a chance on Mad Max in the offseason.
That's what the Blue Jays had in mind when they took a chance on Mad Max in the offseason.
Scherzer then broke out his curveball, a pitch he'd only used twice to that point on a 1-1 count to Vinnie Pasquantino that induced a weak fly ball to right field that ended the threat.
It was the same pitch, in an almost identical spot, that Scherzer used to get Pasquantino to fly out to centre in the first inning.
Max Scherzer explains how he performed in today's victory over the Kansas City Royals
«Those are great hitters, you're in a tough spot there,» Scherzer said. «I was able to get to an 0-2 count on Bobby and execute a slider out of the zone. And then, with Vinny, was able to get a fastball up, foul ball, went wide with a changeup I didn't like that pitch, but then came back and executed a good curveball.
«We stayed out of his damage zone and was able to get a big out in that situation and keep that run from scoring.»
Scherzer didn't come out for the seventh inning because he began to feel fatigue in his right hand, a recurring issue that sidelined him for nearly three months this season.
Max Scherzer is done after 6IP 5K 0BB 1ER.
That might be the best he's looked with the #BlueJays. Though, seems like we're saying that after every start these days.
That might be the best he's looked with the #BlueJays. Though, seems like we're saying that after every start these days.
Scherzer talks about how he can manage his ongoing throwing hand injury while pitching at his best going forward
«This is never going to go away,» said Scherzer. «It's just something I've got to manage. And right now, I'm managing pretty well. Unfortunately got a little tired today there in the sixth. I had the pitch count to at least go back out there for the seventh, but I wasn't in a position to do so. It's just something I got to stay on top of, keep doing all the exercises for, and just managing as best I can.»
The path to victory on Saturday began with Scherzer, and if you factor in his previous start, a seven-inning, three-run, 11-strikeout performance against the Tigers, this is the Max Scherzer the Blue Jays hoped they'd see when they signed him to a one-year, $15.5-million deal in the off-season.
Source: Sportsnet
| POLL | ||
AOUT 2 | 169 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer on why he is getting better with each start Do you think Max Scherzer can manage his throwing hand injury while pitching at his peak down the stretch? | ||
| Yes | 147 | 87 % |
| No | 22 | 13 % |
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