On Wednesday afternoon, while returning to Dodger Stadium, Max Scherzer was caught by a referee for using sticky products. He was ejected from the game and also received an automatic 10-game suspension.
The big Max was not happy, he who affirms loud and clear that he only used resin and that what made everything sticky was his sweat.
But the rules say that if the resin appears to be too sticky in the eyes of the referees, it can be ruled illegal. That’s what happened the day before yesterday.
Scott Boras, Max Scherzer’s agent, has a good point. How do you know “what’s too sticky” when it’s not clear and it’s at the referee’s discretion?
Scherzer hammered Wednesday that he would challenge his suspension by appealing, but last night he changed his mind: he will not. And this, even if he still pleads his innocence. For what?
Because it is not an independent arbitrator who would have judged the case, but the MLB. He didn’t see Major League Baseball going against his umpire and he figured he was going to lose anyway.
Last night, he served his first of 10 suspension games. During that time, the Mets will only be allowed 25 guys.
This could hurt Brett Baty, who could possibly take the AAA path in favor of one more pitcher…
Buck Showalter, the manager of the New York Mets, spoke about a gesture (not to appeal) which was taken for the good of the team.
And when you look at the Mets schedule, you understand why.
Scherzer will be suspended for four games against San Francisco as part of a streak where he wouldn’t have been seen anyway. Otherwise, he will miss a duel against the Nationals… and that’s it.
It’s a shame for his former supporters, but hey.
In fact, after four games against the Giants, three against the Nationals and three against the Braves, he will be able to return on Monday, May 1 against these same Braves.
Because yes, there is a Friday-Monday series against Atlanta.
He will therefore miss a start against Washington (a bad club) and instead of launching on Sunday against Atlanta, he will do so on Monday. We have already seen worse as a suspension, right?
Had he appealed and lost a few days later, he wouldn’t have been able to pitch against Atlanta, a big division rival.
- Ninth homer for Pete Alonso this season.
- Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts are California shortstops. Well.
- Betts at shortstop and Fernando Tatis Jr. at right. Junior didn’t hit a hit, but he did well down the right.
- Bob Melvin is sad for the A’s.
