MAD MAX: A few hours after he was named the Washington Nationals’ Opening Day starter for the third time since he signed on in D.C., Max Scherzer went out and got knocked around in a Grapefruit League start against the Miami Marlins last week, giving up six hits (three home runs) and six runs total in a five-inning start that did nothing to take away from his excitement about getting the nod to start Game 1 of 162 next week against the Reds.
“It’s always an honor to start Opening Day,” Scherzer told reporters in Florida.