New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mets SP Max Scherzer: Playoff elimination is a 'kick in the balls'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/10/22

Fresh off of their best regular season in 34 years , the New York Mets' 2022 playoff run came to a screeching halt in the wild-card round Sunday night, falling to the San Diego Padres in Game 3 by a score of 6-0.

Starting pitcher Max Scherzer talked with reporters after the game, describing the early postseason exit as a "kick in the balls."

Max Scherzer says that the Mets' playoff result is a "kick in the balls": pic.twitter.com/zVIpzC5noq
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 10, 2022

Scherzer got the call in Game 1 but struggled mightily in the Mets' loss, surrendering seven runs in just 4 2/3 innings pitched and allowing four home runs. The three-time Cy Young award winner signed a three-year, $130 million contract with New York in December 2021.

Scherzer battled injuries for much of the regular season, but when healthy, was his normal dominant self. The 38-year-old finished the year 11-5 with a 2.29 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 173 strikeouts over 145 1/3 innings pitched covering 23 starts.

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