The last time the Texas Rangers saw Max Scherzer on the mound in competitive action, he had to come out of his lone MLB World Series start against Arizona with back stiffness.
After rehabbing his injuries, Scherzer returned on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. His manager, Bruce Bochy, tried to take the pressure off by saying Scherzer would not need the stuff that has brought him three Cy Young Awards, but he just went out and dominated the Royals anyway.
Over five innings, Scherzer blanked the Royals, permitting one hit while striking out four without a walk – and only needing 57 pitches to finish the job. He was able to put all four of his pitches where he wanted to, and the Rangers rolled as a result.
The defending World Series champions are still below .500 and sit in third place in the AL West, behind Seattle and Houston, but while they have a lot of work to do to get back into contention.
Having Scherzer back answers a major question for the starting rotation. As you consider your sports betting for baseball this week, take a look.
2024 MLB Betting Top Starting Pitchers After Week 12 | MLB Odds
Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners
Pitcher Stats: 4-4, 2.93 ERA, 99 K, 0.89 WHIP
MLB’s best starting rotation right now might be in Seattle. The Mariners lead the American League West, and their only real flaws lie in their batting order.
Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals
Pitcher Stats: 10-2, 2.42 ERA, 87 K, 1.07 WHIP
Kansas City holds the second wild card slot right now, but their starters also have them competing with Minnesota and Cleveland for the division title.
The Royals’ ace is Cole Ragans, but Lugo has been outpitching him for now, leading MLB in batters faced (418) and victories (10). He also pitched well as a starter in San Diego last year and is continuing that this season.
Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves
Pitcher Stats: 10-2, 2.91 ERA, 107 K, 0.93 WHIP
So far, Chris Sale has remained healthy in 2024, which is already his best season in terms of durability in five years. His K/BB ratio (7.62) leads all pitchers in the National League.
Left-handed hitters are batting just .193 against the southpaw, but right-handers (.215 BA, .569 OPS) aren’t doing much better. Can Sale make it through an entire season – and an entire postseason? It’s been a long time since he’s done that, but if he can, the Braves will have gotten what they wanted out of this deal.
Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pitcher Stats: 4-0, 2.14 ERA, 61 K, 0.99 WHIP
The Pirates’ rookie phenom has become a must-watch pitcher every time out. He still hasn’t made ten major-league starts, but he’s already putting together highlight reels.
On Sunday, he went seven innings against Tampa Bay at home, permitting just one run on six hits while fanning eight. He started a bit roughly, as Yandy Diaz took him deep on the game’s first pitch, and then Josh Lowe belted a double.
Then came two strikeouts. He entered the seventh inning at 88 pitches, and while some pitchers might have started to show some fatigue, Skenes finished the frame with a 102-mph heater to make it eight strikeouts on the day.
Unfortunately, the Pirates’ bullpen and batting order wasted Skenes’ effort, but he is definitely someone to keep your eye on.
Ranger Suarez, Philadelphia Phillies
Pitcher Stats: 10-1, 1.75 ERA, 95 K, 0.89 WHIP
It’s impossible to drop Suarez out of our list because he just keeps dominating the opposition. He’s got Zack Wheeler, Christopher Sanchez and Aaron Nola pitching well with him for the Phillies, and he is the co-leader in wins (10).
Only Reynaldo Lopez has a lower ERA, but Suarez has thrown almost 20 more innings. The Phillies have a legit chance to appear in the Fll Classic this year, and Suarez could start the All-Star Game.
102 MPH ON HIS 98TH PITCH!!!!!
— SkenesMuse (@PaulSkenesMuse) June 23, 2024
UNBELIEVABLE.#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/uwQ6I3PAwt
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