Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
March/April Stats: 1-3 record with a 34.0% strikeout rate, 3.1% walk rate, 4.12 ERA, 2.56 SIERA, and 1.5 fWAR in 39.1 innings
We haven’t seen the results we’re used to seeing from Mad Max over the past month, but clearly, his peripherals tell us we shouldn’t be too worried right now. His 30.8% strikeout-to-walk ratio is on pace to improve for the second consecutive year. It’s also at a single-season career-high level.
And as many of us know, Scherzer’s ability to rack up strikeouts isn’t anything new.
.@Max_Scherzer is the 3rd fastest pitcher to reach 2,500 Ks.
How many will he finish his career with? pic.twitter.com/jie0XbZH06
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) April 27, 2019
One big change thus far for the right-hander has been fewer fly balls and more ground balls. He’s also allowed hard contact at a 37.6% clip, which would easily be a career-worst mark if the season ended today.
The change in batted-ball profile may be because of an increase in slider usage (16.4% in ’18 to 21.2% so far in ’19). Opposing hitters have produced just a 12 wRC+ with a 43.2% strikeout rate, 0.0% walk rate, 42.9% ground-ball rate, and 19.0% fly-ball rate against it.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
