Max Scherzer to start with playoff implications on line for Rockies
Max Scherzer will be standing in the way of the Colorado Rockies and a potential National League West title on the final day of Major League Baseball’s regular season.
The Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers are battling for the NL West crown, which will go down to the final day (or perhaps Monday) to decide the winner. The Dodgers clinched a postseason spot on Saturday with a win over the San Francisco Giants. The Rockies previously punched their playoff ticket.
The Rockies will wrap up their series against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Washington was eliminated from the playoffs long ago, and it was no certainty that Scherzer would take the mound for his regular turn in the rotation on Sunday. Earlier in the week, he said he wanted to take the mound if the game had playoff implications for the Rockies.
Nats also are on board with him pitching Sunday if the Rockies are playing for something. “That’s a heck on an environment to pitch in” Scherzer said
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) September 28, 2018
The Dodgers’ win on Saturday meant Sunday’s game between Washington and Colorado would impact the playoff race. The Nationals then confirmed Scherzer will start in the season finale for Washington.
Max Scherzer will start tomorrow.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) September 29, 2018
For a guy as ultra-competitive as Scherzer, it should come as no surprise that he wants to be on the mound with a chance to keep another team from making the postseason. There is also another angle. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts joked he might call in a favor from Scherzer as a result of this year’s All-Star Game.
If the Rockies are going to win their first division title in franchise history, they will have to earn it against the two-time defending Cy Young award winner.
