I seem to recognize your ace: Max Scherzer dishes out vengeance to the Padres

Haunting, familiar yet I can’t seem to place it. Who was that on the mound for the New York Mets last night? I can’t seem to place it.

After his most recent outing versus the Milwaukee Brewers, many were ready to find reasons we shouldn’t believe in Max Scherzer. He wasn’t masterful against the San Diego Padres Monday night. Against noted Mets killer Yu Darvish, this game was all about a little bit of vengeance for the elderly pitcher behind the counter in the big town.

NY Mets pitcher Max Scherzer had some revenge against the Padres

Five shutout innings of one-hit ball is what fans were hoping Scherzer could have delivered against the Padres last October. This is what he gave the Mets on Monday while striking out 6 and walking 3. It took him 97 pitches to retire those 15 batters. The Padres didn’t make it easy for him. Scherzer had to battle in his first Citi Field start of the season.

You can look at this start and see the negatives. This wasn’t vintage Scherzer. He hasn’t looked that way in any of his three starts thus far and it might be something we need to accept.

What Scherzer did do is show his toughness. Two walks in the first innings had us on edge. A double play to end the inning helped remind us that while he may get himself in trouble, Scherzer has a way of finding his way out.

There was no pushing Scherzer for another inning in this way. All of the signs pointed toward five and then a trip to the showers. This may be a frequent type of game from Scherzer. If the bullpen can hold things together, it’s an acceptable yet not ideal situation to be in.

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away. Scherzer is opaque. Despite the early faults, he proved he can grind out a victory. It doesn’t hurt to get a little help from the wizardry of Luis Guillorme and Tomas Nido for insurance.