Could Max Scherzer Finally Be On The Decline?

Max Scherzer, the star pitcher for the Washington Nationals, recently made headlines for being suspended for using foreign substances on the baseball. Scherzer, who was 32 to 1 to win the N L Cy Young, had his first game back from suspension against the Detroit Tigers, which was supposed to be a soft landing spot. However, it turned out to be anything but that. Scherzer gave up six earned runs and eight hits in just three innings, which is not good for someone who is considered a Cy Young contender.

The Aging Process and Doctoring the Baseball

Scherzer is getting older, and like many major league baseball pitchers, he wants as many advantages as he can get to stay on top of the game. This is where doctoring the baseball comes in. For decades, pitchers have been using foreign substances on the ball to gain an edge. Baseball turned a blind eye to this until they realized that the game was becoming too predictable, with either walks, strikeouts, or home runs being the only outcomes. They woke up and decided to step in, and the spin rates went down while hits and home runs went up.

The Scandal and Suspension

Scherzer’s troubles began when he was caught using foreign substances on the ball, leading to his suspension. He had been struggling at the start of the season and probably decided to use a little extra on the ball to get away with things he couldn’t get away with in the past. A few years ago, Joe Girardi made Scherzer strip down on the mound to check if he was cheating, which angered Scherzer. Two weeks ago, Scherzer came out to the mound with a sticky hand, leading to his suspension.

The Massive Start and Outcome

All eyes were on Scherzer during his recent start against the Detroit Tigers. It was his chance to prove that he wasn’t cheating and that his previous success was legitimate. However, things didn’t go as planned, and the Tigers shelled him. This suggests that Scherzer was severely doctoring the ball, and now that he can’t do it, he can’t even get the Tigers out. This is not a good situation for Scherzer, who is now being looked at with suspicion by baseball fans and analysts alike.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Max Scherzer’s struggles and suspension have raised questions about his legitimacy as a top pitcher. While doctoring the baseball has been a part of the game for decades, it is no longer tolerated, and players who are caught face serious consequences. Scherzer’s recent performance against the Detroit Tigers suggests that he may have been using foreign substances on the ball for some time, which is a blow to his reputation and legacy as a player. It remains to be seen how he will respond to these allegations and whether he will be able to regain his former dominance on the field.