Cy Young Winner Max Scherzer Snubbed For Opening Day Start

Mar 5, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(37) pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

What does a guy gotta do to get the ball Opening Day around here? That has got to be the question Max Scherzer is asking himself after being passed over for the opening day start in favor of Justin Verlander.

Scherzer was the run away favorite for the American League Cy Young Award down the stretch last season. Mad Max was 6-2 with a 2.67 ERA and was a big reason the Detroit Tigers were Central Division Champions once again.  Not to mention the clutch relief performance Scherzer turned in during the playoffs helping the Tigers advance.

So stretch run and postseason dominance coupled with the American League Cy Young  award should be enough to start for your team on Opening Day right?

Not according to Manager Brad Ausmus.

"If he wins another Cy Young and he returns to Detroit, then we’re really going to have an issue.”"

Win another Cy Young! Isn’t one enough.

Not according to Justin Verlander.

"The guy won the Cy Young. Any other team in baseball, and he’s the Opening Day starter. He earned it. But this is a unique situation in Detroit where there are three guys that earned it (he includes ERA champion Anibal Sanchez in that group). Brad had to make a tough decision and name one of us.”"

Fact is neither Justin Verlander nor Anibal Sanchez won the 2013 Cy Young Award.  That distinction belongs solely to Max Scherzer.

This is a snub of historic proportions, especially considering Max Scherzer will be the only pitcher who has won the Cy Young not to start on opening day since according to sports researcher James Symthe.

Baseball is a game rich in history and tradition. Snubs like this to players aware of this are not generally overlooked.  Max Scherzer has handled this well so far and most assuredly give his best effort this season but this snub may cost the Tigers if they intend on bringing him back next season. Especially if Scherzer can duplicate his 21-3 performance from last season.

Justin Verlander’s recovery from off-season core muscle surgery has been nothing short of miraculous. Naming Justin Verlander the opening day starter is certainly a way of rewarding the Ace for his hard work this off-season.  But if the Tigers are serious about signing Scherzer beyond this season, giving the start to Scherzer on Opening Day could have gone a long way to accomplishing that.