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Detroit Tigers: Max Scherzer Set to Start Game Seven of the World Series

By Bob Heyrman

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 07: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals celebrates as he walks back to the dug out after the last out with bases loaded in the seventh inning of game four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park on October 07, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 07: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals celebrates as he walks back to the dug out after the last out with bases loaded in the seventh inning of game four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park on October 07, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Former Detroit Tigers ace Max Scherzer toes the rubber tonight, hoping to toss the game of his life.  It’s what you’ve dreamt of as a kid growing up in the back yard pitching to a parent. Now for Max, what once was a dream becomes a reality.

There is nothing in the world like a game seven.  This is for all the marbles. Teams will be pulling out all of the stops trying to win just one more baseball game.  The baseball season is a complete grind.  It consists of 162 regular-season games, then a string of playoff games, and if you are lucky, you get to this point.  Players report to spring training in February, the regular season starts in March, and the playoffs begin in October.  Tonight former Detroit Tigers star Max Scherzer gets the ball in game seven for the Washington Nationals in hopes of capturing his first World Series title. It would also be the first WS championship for the Nationals franchise.

It’s incredible, the Washington Nationals didn’t resign their star outfielder Bryce Harper last winter, yet here they are in-game seven of the World Series.  Sometimes it’s addition by subtraction.  Harper landed a $300-plus million deal this past offseason abroad, and Washington was able to spread that money around elsewhere, balancing out their roster.

Scherzer plays the game with an admirable fire inside that works its way out often.  Emotion spews out while he pitches often heard grunting as he hurdles the baseball towards home plate.  He pours everything he’s got in the tank into every pitch. He, without a doubt, plays the game with his heart on his sleeve.

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That being said, it’s a tough task for Max tonight on the road in Houston.  The Astros fans are a ruckus bunch and will be at their peak tonight trying to urge their players that little bit extra, in turn, landing them their second World Series title over the last three years.

It was another former Detroit Tigers ace in Justin Verlander trying to win another World Series last night, but like he’s done so often in World Series starts – fell short again.  He’s been spectacular at times throughout his playoff appearances, especially in 2017, when he produced one of the best postseason performances of any starting pitcher in the history of the league.  But Verlander is 0-6 in 7 career WS starts.  While wins and losses are not the most critical stat, it’s still shocking he’s failed to record a win.  In those seven starts, Verlander has produced a 6.62 ERA.  Crazy for a pitcher of his pedigree.

Justin Verlander won his WS title in 2017.  Tonight Max hopes it’s his turn.  Don’t forget, Anibal Sanchez, yet another former Detroit Tigers starter, a member of the Washington Nationals, also hopes to land a title.  Sanchez has pitched very well for Washington during their playoff run; he will be available out of the bullpen tonight on full rest if Scherzer faulters.

Max was expected to start game five but woke up with a sore neck.  Joe Buck mentioned during the telecast last night that Max was in so much pain he was unable to even dress himself the morning of game five.  Last night as Steven Strasburg threw an absolute gem for Washington, Scherzer appeared in the Nats bullpen loosening up in case he was needed.

It appeared the right-hander was feeling much better – a good sign if you are a Washingon fan. Scherzer is a bulldog.  He’s flat out fearsome on the mound.  He was spotted pacing last night in the bullpen, just waiting for an opportunity to pitch.  He’d be the one who would have taken the baseball last night and told his skipper Dave Martinez he will still take the ball tonight.  A guy like that is easy to cheer for; I hope he gets it done tonight.  Justin Verlander got his, for me, it’s Max’s turn.

Next. It’s Time The Detroit Tigers Retire Mickey Lolich’s Number. dark

Scherzer owns a 7-5 career postseason record with an era of 3.36. Max has recorded 134 strikeouts in 107 innings of work.  He’s 3-0 in four starts this postseason and 1-0 in this year’s World Series yielding 2 runs in 5 innings of work in game one.

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