Five Numbers That Sum Up The Season
FIP |
2nd Half ERA |
Home ERA |
K/9 |
wCH |
3.71 |
2.47 |
2.99 |
8.5 |
-0.2 |
What It All Means
The year didn’t get started quite the way Max Scherzer was hoping, as he struggled so much that he became the odd man out of the rotation and was sent down to Toledo (though contrary to popular belief the option down had more to do with off days and not needing five starters and less to do with his pitching). Scherzer came back with a vengeance though and put together a very nice season, with an FIP in the mid 3’s and a second half ERA in the mid 2’s. His strikeouts really came around in June, at which point he averaged 36 K’s per month – he had just 40 total in the first two months combined. One other promising sign was the effectiveness of his change-up, which was just a slight negative value after two straight years of decidedly negative values, showing the necessary third pitch development you need out of a top of the rotation starter.
What Does the Future Hold
Scherzer remains pegged as the number two starter, and the Tigers believe he has the repertoire and make up to hold that spot behind Verlander for many years to come. This season will actually be quite critical for Scherzer from a financial standpoint, as another strong year entering his arbitration years will put him in a good position to get an extension from the Tigers (which they likely won’t hesitate to do if he continues on the path he’s been on thus far). While giving up Edwin Jackson was no easy move, the returns through year one show that the Tigers made the right call in acquiring Scherzer among others.