Dodgers: Max Scherzer ‘Better Than Advertised’ Since Joining LA at Trade Deadline
After a Monday afternoon win in St. Louis, the Dodgers continued to cement the fact that they were the winners of the trade deadline. In terms of WAR (wins above replacement) added, that distinction seemed almost like a foregone conclusion. But now one month-plus after the deadline, it’s a bonafide fact.
Sure, Trea Turner has been great since joining the Dodgers, but Max Scherzer may be the best piece added by any team at the deadline.
“He’s better than advertised,” Dave Roberts said after Monday’s win. “We knew what we were going to get as far as the player. He’s certainly exceeded even that.”
The future Hall of Famer tossed 8 innings against the Cardinals on Monday, allowing 1 run while striking out 13 and walking none. He lowered his season ERA to 2.28, surpassing Walker Buehler for the MLB lead while winning his 13th game of the season.
In the eyes of Scherzer (and really everyone) he’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to do. Win.
“That’s what coming over my job is to do,” the right-hander said on Monday. “When it’s my turn, go out there and win. There’s a ton of pressure to do that. You have to compartmentalize it. Go out there and accept it. Go out there and give it your best every time … It’s been fun with these games, going out there and pitching and going out there and winning every single time. I don’t care about my personal record. I just care about the team record and when you say we’ve gone 7-0 that’s music to my ears.”
Max Scherzer is the 4th pitcher with at least 60 K and an ERA below 1.50 in his first 7 starts with a team. pic.twitter.com/pkhaH3lBIb
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 6, 2021
Scherzer delivered a massively needed long outing for the Dodgers on Labor Day. With bullpen games expected on Tuesday and Wednesday in St. Louis, and possibly one or even two over the weekend against the Padres at Dodger Stadium, the pitching staff needs to save as many bullets as it can while waiting out the returns of Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin.
NEXT: Clayton Kershaw to Make Rehab Start at AAA this Week
H/T to Roberts last night.
That is the way to manage a game whilst in the middle of a tight race.
The Dodgers should be offer Mad Max a 3years extension at 90 millions USD . ASAP
I concur. However these BP games may still burn out the pen before October.
Kersh and Tgon due back in a week. Max threw 8 innings so pen got a pass yesterday!
and don’t forget the pen is made up of what ~25 pitchers this year? some very high number!
Concur, he must be re-signed as well as Pujols ASAP!!!!!!
Scherzer will resign with the Dodgers. Mark my words, IT WILL HAPPEN.
We all hope you’re correct, Dodger Boy. Freidman MUST MAKE EVER EFFORT to re- sign him after giving up his 2 top prospects in that deal.
IKR Paul? Why only trade for him for a few months and let him go. He’s arguably one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, and he has been fantastic since joining the Dodgers.
I think he gets a Bauer type contract at 1 yr options at $40M/year, as long as Dodgers win the WS!
Sherzer starts = Dodger wins.
And when he starts, Dodgers only need a few runs of support Thankfully Dodgers scored enough runs, 5 by end of 3rd inning. That’s because the offense took the rest of the game off.
any starting pitcher will tell you including Max that the best thing the offense can do is get the starting pitcher a big lead early, enabling the pitcher to relax a bit more, knowing they don’t have to be perfect