Second-to-last day of the regular season.
There isn’t much news. Max Scherzer says he’ll wait until after the season to decide whether he wants to pitch next year, but he’s set to start tomorrow, in front of his kids (just in case). He hasn’t put up numbers that would make me want to re-sign him. 3-9, 6.14 ERA in 77.2 innings; I would rather give those innings to a young pitcher, even if the young pitcher puts up similar numbers. At least a younger pitcher so mature into better numbers.
Over his two
seasons with the Jays, he has a 5.64 ERA with an 8-14 record in 34 starts, with 34 home runs, 57 walks and 143 strikeouts in 162.2 innings. He had some very good moments, and he seems like a great teammate and good guy to have around.
He’s not going to become a pitching coach; guys who make $370 million in their career don’t become pitching coaches. It is too much work for too little money. But I’m sure spring training invites will come. He says he’d like to coach youth and amateur baseball.
Justin Verlander is starting today for the Tigers. It will be interesting to see how long he goes. But it would be cool if he could get another strikeout or two. I think I’ll watch.
He looks good in the first: no strikeouts, but three quick outs.
Today’s lineup. No Springer. I hope he gets a standing ovation every at-bat tomorrow. Another guy with a decision to make on playing again next year. He just turned 37. I think this season has been hard on his body, but he might want another go-around. He seems to love being around his teammates.
I don’t know how many teams are looking for a full-time DH. I like the idea of it being a rotating spot, to allow guys to get a break now and then.
The good news is Bateman’s back in the lineup, so we don’t have to spend all winter worrying that his injury is worse than reports.
