Report: Max Scherzer Expected to Pitch Tonight With a Broken Nose
Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer broke his nose yesterday during pregame batting practice after a half-assed effort to lay down a bunt.
WATCH – Max Scherzer, who's scheduled to start Wednesday, was hit in the face by a ball during batting practice.
Details: https://t.co/sNoPv3co00 pic.twitter.com/27FonlyC33
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) June 18, 2019
Many a mortal man would have needed at least a day or two to recover from such an injury, but not Scherzer, apparently:
Max Scherzer update: Dave Martinez is convinced the ace will start the second game of the doubleheader tonight. Scherzer is going through his normal routine and, according to Martinez, the Nats had not heard from him by 11:15 a.m.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) June 19, 2019
Hockey player type stuff right there.
While a broken nose may not keep him from pitching, it’s possible the rain that has wreaked havoc on this series over the past two nights could keep him out. The weather forecasts in D.C. are once again less than promising, and that may not be such a bad thing for the Phillies.
Scherzer is 5-5 with a 2.81 ERA this season while striking out 12.3 batters per nine innings and holding opposing hitters to a .230 batting average. He’s been outstanding over his last four starts, pitching to a 1.29 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 28 IP while limiting opponents to a .530 OPS. In 18 career games against the Phillies, he’s 9-3 with a 2.60 ERA.
