Will Max Scherzer Make it to 20 Wins?

[HerSports85]

The title of this article would have seemed ridiculous just a few short weeks ago, when Detroit Tiger ace Max Scherzer won his 19th game to move to 19-1 on the season. Now in September, it is a question among many Tiger fans of whether Max will achieve the vaunted 20th win, as he only has a few starts left to do so.

Since winning his 19th on the year, Scherzer has gone 0-2 with two no-decisions in four starts. He has been mediocre in two of the starts, and extremely solid in the other two – with Drew Smyly blowing a save in the last outing, in which he posted a stellar line – scattering five hits for only one run across seven innings, walking only one and fanning twelve in the no-decision.

There are definitely reasons to be optimistic about Scherzer’s chances of winning that elusive twentieth game. Through his 19th win, Scherzer had been helped by the best run support in the major leagues, and during this three-start stretch, the Tigers have posted only five runs of support. Max also has a favorable pitching matchup against his next opponent, the Chicago White Sox, who project to send rookie starting pitcher Andre Rienzo (2-2, 5.04 ERA in 50IP) to the hill against him this Friday at Comerica Park.

Scherzer has also been extremely effective against the White Sox this season, going 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA against them in four starts, striking out 23 while walking only 8 while holding them to an average of .189, according to ESPN Stats and Information.

If he doesn’t get number twenty on Friday, Scherzer will only have one or two starts left depending on how much manager Jim Leyland would want to let him go for the milestone. By the current rotation, Scherzer would only get one more turn – next Wednesday at Minnesota. You would have to assume that the Tigers will lock up the division in short order, which would most likely lead to Leyland setting up his rotation for the division series and most likely giving Max only these last two starts to do the deed.

Great tickets are still available for this Friday at Comerica, so go down to the ballpark and take a good chance at seeing some Detroit history!

http://soodetroit.com/index.php/will-max-scherzer-make-it-to-twenty-wins/

[chrbal]

Yes