Max Scherzer said he took time to reflect after his last outing. The Chicago Cubs had hit four home runs off him, and Scherzer felt he had temporarily devolved into a predictable pitcher.
Wednesday night, against his former team, the Detroit Tigers, Scherzer showed a diabolical level of adjustments. He struck out 20 batters in 119 pitches — 96 strikes — tying a MLB record for strikeouts. His previous career-high was 17 strikeouts during a no-hitter against the New York Mets in his final appearance last season. The Nationals beat the Tigers, 3-2.
Scherzer joked Tuesday that many of his former teammates on the Tigers told him they were going to hit “bombs” off him in the first matchup since he departed Detroit as a free agent in 2015.