Max Scherzer is not a fan of the pitch clock

Max Scherzer is not a fan of the pitch clock

The new pitch clock implemented into the 2023 MLB season still does not sit well with players, especially New York Mets ace Max Scherzer. 

Scherzer has explained to the media time and time again how the changes — notably a check for banned substances every inning in 2021 and the pitch clock this year — are making it worse for the players, especially as a pitcher.

Both the illegal foreign substance and pitch clock have affected Scherzer so far this season. Scherzer was recently suspended 10 games after he presumably had “sticky stuff” on his hands. Before being ejected, he exclaimed, “I swear on my kids that it is rosin and sweat.”

The three-time Cy Young Award winner made headlines once again for the pitch clock instead. Scherzer said that he despises the fact the pitch clock can be so controlling during gameplay.

Against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Scherzer directed frustration toward the home plate umpire after he did not receive one last warm-up pitch due to the pitch clock.

“Why can’t the umpires have discretion in that situation to allow eight normal warm-up pitches?” Scherzer said, via ESPN. “Why do we have to be so anal about this to have the clock shoved in everybody’s face.”

Scherzer also believes the pitch clock is ruining the game’s routines and the flow that traditionalists once loved.

“The umpires are frustrated that the game is not normal, that we’re living and dying by the clock,” Scherzer said. “We’re way too far thinking about the clock in every single situation instead of letting players have their normal routines.“

Kenley Jansen voices concerns about the pitch clock

While fans initially agreed with Scherzer that the pitch clock ruined players’ routines and thus pitchers would be burnt out more frequently, it has actually improved the game. The MLB has increased in viewership, brought in a younger demographic, made the game run faster and displayed more action, which is what the MLB needed. 

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