For all the inconsistency with the Washington Nationals pitching, one constant has been Max Scherzer. The Nats’ ace despite the team having a losing record in his 14 starts, proves he is one of, if not the best, pitcher in Major League Baseball.
Saturday night in San Diego, Scherzer struck out nine Padres and allowed six hits and one walk in seven shutout innings to lead the Nationals to a 4-1 win. The win snapped a two-game losing streak, and was Washington’s most brilliant pitching performance since Scherzer’s last start Jun. 2 when he struck out 15.
The three-time Cy Young has been the shining star in a season built with inconsistency for the Nationals’ pitching staff. The bullpen ranks as the worst in MLB in ERA (6.55), WHIP (1.58), and opponents’ batting average (.280). They’re also next-to-last in opponent’s .OPS (.832) and have the second-most blown saves (13).
The starting pitching has been up-and-down in recent weeks. Patrick Corbin has allowed 13 runs (nine earned) in his last two starts that have lasted a combined 7 2/3 innings. Stephen Strasburg seemingly has settled in a groove after a rocky start to the season, but in his last start on Jun. 4 against the Chicago White Sox, he allowed five runs in the first two innings. Outside of them, Washington has shuffled the deck trying to find a consistent fourth and fifth starter.
The mainstay through it all has been Max Scherzer despite Washington being 4-10 in his 14 starts. In his last six starts, including Saturday’s dominant performance, Scherzer has a 1.58 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP while recording 54 strikeouts against 11 walks.
On the season, Scherzer leads the National League with 126 strikeouts. His 3.4 WAR is also tops in the NL among pitchers.
There is a lot of unknown along the Nationals’ pitching staff. However, the sure-bet is that Scherzer is going to give Washington a quality start every fifth game.
