Max Scherzer happy he finished strong in Rangers debut
In one of the biggest trades this season, the New York Mets shipped three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers earlier this week. And now Scherzer has one start under his belt for the Rangers.
It was a first inning to forget for the veteran ace against the White Sox on Thursday night. Scherzer allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in the first at Globe Life Field in Arlington. However, Scherzer was able to settle in and wouldn't allow another run to cross the plate. He ultimately pitched six innings with nine strikeouts in a game the Rangers would go on to win 5-3.
Scherzer said he didn't panic and was able to weather the storm and get through that tough first frame.
"Sometimes these are almost my favorite starts," Scherzer said. "When you're getting kind of beat around there in the early part of the game but you settle in catch you're rhythm and able to pitch deep into a ball game."
The Rangers are currently in first place in the AL West and 1.5 games ahead of the Houston Astros. Every game matters and Scherzer is satisfied with his first showing in a Texas uniform.
"That's what I'm most happy about," Scherzer said. "I finished strong."
Scherzer's no stranger to pennant races and now he's part of yet another one. He has appeared in the playoffs in nine prior seasons and this appears to be playoff push No. 10. Being in this position isn't lost on Scherzer. The 39-year-old relishes high-leverage situations.
"We're in a pennant race now. This is what's fun," Scherzer explained. "This type of year you need to win almost every single ball game. That's the mentality it takes to be great."
Scherzer is currently 10-4 on the season with a 4.04 ERA.
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