Cy Young pitcher Max Scherzer holds hand up and aims to make adjustments after dreadful start to 2023 season
Max Scherzer may be a three-time Cy Young winner, but he even needs to make adjustments sometimes. The New York Mets pitcher is entering his seventeenth season in the majors. This season, however, has been slightly different. The addition of the new pitch clock is creating all sorts of problems for the league's veteran pitchers.
The New York Mets starter has had a shaky start to the 2023 season as he works to adapt to the game's new format. In typical Scherzer fashion, he is taking full responsibilty.
"This is on me. I’m not going to sit here and complain about it," said Scherzer
According to a recent article in the New York Post by Jon Heyman, the pitch clock is causing issues for Scherzer and some of the MLB's older pitchers.
On Mets Post Game, @Todd_Zeile examined Max Scherzer's inability to put hitters away with 2 strikes and how he tried to use the pitch clock to his advantage, only to have it backfire on.sny.tv/LkOgzYm https://t.co/Eu0iZ1fIPu
"On Mets Post Game, @Todd_Zeile examined Max Scherzer's inability to put hitters away with 2 strikes and how he tried to use the pitch clock to his advantage, only to have it backfire https://on.sny.tv/LkOgzYm" - SNY
Led by Scherzer (38) and Justin Verlander (40), the New York Mets have one of the more experienced rotations in the majors. Carlos Carrasco just turned 36 and Jose Quitana is 34. Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga may technically be listed as a rookie, but he is already 30.
Fatigue could be a major factor for some of the Mets' aging pitchers. Veteran pitchers are used to the traditional format where they have more time between pitches. It is a luxury that is no longer available with the newly-implemented 15 second pitch clock.
New York Mets starter Max Scherzer has been uncharactaristically poor to start the season
The 2023 season has not started the way Scherzer had hoped. He is currently baseball's highest paid player (alongside fellow Mets pitcher Justin Verlander). That hefty salary comes with high expectations.
Brewers No. 4 prospect Garrett Mitchell hits his first home run of the season off Max Scherzer!
https://t.co/i4JT0iqEC1
"Brewers No. 4 prospect Garrett Mitchell hits his first home run of the season off Max Scherzer!" - Farm to Fame
Scherzer is currently 1-1 on the season. His ERA ballooned to 6.35 after allowing five runs in 5.1 innings versus the Milwaukee Brewers. The fact that Scherzer conceded three home runs in the sixth inning may be the most shocking statistic of the season so far.
Max Scherzer is still, however, one of the most dangerous pitchers in the league. He is a three-time Cy Young winner, an eight-time All-Star and has pitched two no-hitters in his career. A pitcher does not reach those high levels without making a few adjustments.