Scherzer Struggles in First Game Since Suspension:
Max Scherzer, in his first game back after a 10-game suspension, struggles with velocity and spin rates, leading to a disappointing performance and a loss for the Mets.
May 4, 2023
In his first game back after a 10-game suspension, Max Scherzer took the mound at Comerica Park, the same field where he won the first of his three Cy Young Awards as a member of the Detroit Tigers. However, things did not go as smoothly as they had in the past. Scherzer gave up six earned runs and failed to get out of the fourth inning in an 8-1 loss to the Tigers. His velocity and spin rates were down, and the Mets could not provide any offense to help him out.
Mets manager Buck Showalter attributes the disappointing performance to Scherzer's 13-day layoff, during which he was able to throw and do his daily work but wasn't fully built up to give the team the strong innings they needed. At 38 years old, it may be harder for Scherzer to bounce back from breaks as quickly as he used to.
In this game, Scherzer's velocity topped out at 93 MPH, and he would like to be up around 94-95 – an area he identifies as his biggest concern. His lower velocity may be the result of the 13-day break, combined with a particularly cold night. Scherzer's lackluster performance led to him giving up home runs on both a belt-high fastball and a slider.
Unfortunately, the struggles weren't limited to just Scherzer; the entire Mets pitching staff has been in disarray, with the starting rotation in constant flux due to injuries and a lack of consistency from depth starters. The Mets are tied with the Cincinnati Reds for the fifth-worst starting ERA, with a collective mark of 5.56. The bullpen has also been overworked, with only one pitcher – left-hander Joey Lucchesi – going seven innings and doing so only once.
Scherzer remains confident that he can turn things around and improve on his performance, despite the doubts and questions his age might bring. The supportive fans in Detroit saluted him with a standing ovation as he exited the game, but for Scherzer, the feeling was bittersweet. Looking forward, Scherzer will work to analyze his performance and make necessary adjustments in the bullpen in order to return to his previous level of dominance.