The New York Mets are getting more than they bargained for with Max Scherzer.
Scherzer has led the way for a Mets rotation that has been dominant all through the month of April and is ready to continue that trend into the season’s second month.
Despite giving up four runs on Sunday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, Scherzer still lasted six innings as the Mets defeated their National League East division rivals by a final score of 10-4.
Scherzer struck out a solid helping of Phillies hitters too, bringing his total through his first five starts as a Met up to 42.
The only pitcher in Mets history with more strikeouts through their first five starts with the team is Hall-of-Famer Pedro Martinez, who had 46.
Max Scherzer finished with 9 strikeouts tonight. He now has 42 strikeouts through his first 5 starts with the Mets.
The only pitcher with more strikeouts in his first five career starts for the Mets was Pedro Martínez (46). pic.twitter.com/8YmSdKCKyD
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 2, 2022
Rivaling Pedro
To be in the same company as Martinez is quite impressive and amazing, but it just speaks to the raw ability of Scherzer and the killer instincts he brings with him every day, even when he’s not pitching.
This man is one of the fiercest competitors the game of baseball has ever known.
He knows what it takes to be successful, and he wants to dominate every team he’s out there.
That fierce competitive spirit and his long-standing dominance has now led him to just four strikeouts short of Martinez’s Mets record.
Another interesting bit about what Scherzer did last night is that he managed to do it against the Phillies, the final team Martinez ever suited up for, so he did it in style.
The Mets’ win put them at 16-7 on the year.
That’s the best in the National League and second in Major League Baseball behind their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees.
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