Throughout the first half of the season Max Scherzer was the lone bright spot for a Nationals rotation that was expected by many to be among the very best. Somehow he managed to look like a better pitcher after signing a record free agent contract to come to Washington.
But that has simply not been the case in the second half of the season and particularly as of late. The Nats right-hander has seen his trademark command elude him and the results have featured a staggering uptick in home runs.
Scherzer’s problems continued on Monday in what amounted to the biggest game of the Nats’ season so far, a series opener against the first-place New York Mets.