So far, my favourite thing about the 2017 season is Max Scherzer. While Clayton Kershaw has clearly been the best pitcher of the past decade, for the past few years Max is currently in the same league. Having five consecutive games in a row with 10+ strikeouts is not a common occurrence. If he stays healthy and on the same pace, he may get his second straight Cy Young award and maybe even strikeout 300 batters.

In the bottom of the 8th with two outs and over 100 pitches, Max seems spent. Up comes Yoenis Cespedes, and the two men battle through an 11-pitch at-bat. About 1/3 of the way through Max started to grunt as he’s clearly giving every last bit of energy he has to get out of the inning. This confrontation would have destroyed lesser pitchers and maybe even put them on the disabled list. Not Max, not this year.

 This is a fine example of the type of mental and physical strength Max is able to dish out every start.

References and Research

• Baseball Reference: Game Details