Can Max Scherzer be even better in the second half?

Before heading to a much deserved break, Nationals closer Drew Storen was asked what staff ace Max Scherzer can do for an encore in the team's second half.

"I think he better be better," Storen said while trying to remain straight-faced. "I'm just kidding."

What's crazy is Scherzer most likely believes he can be better as well. And why not? The 30-year-old has developed into a more complete and efficient pitcher since his American League Cy Young Award winning season two years ago in Detroit.

Scherzer's decorated campaign in 2013 included a league-high 21 wins, but the right-hander never finished any of them. In fact, in his 188 starts over seven seasons prior to joining the Nationals, Scherzer had gone the distance only once. Yet through 18 starts this year, the right-hander has already thrown three complete games, including a no-hitter and one-hit shutout.

"The season's not over," Scherzer said. "I won't comment on or rank my seasons comparatively what I've done. I've got to go out and continue to pitch and finish this season. We're only at the halfway point. I do feel like I am a better pitcher than I was last year. I'm able to do more things this year. I'm able to, I feel like my pitches are more consistent, and I'm pounding the zone at a higher rate. I feel like that's the reason for my success."

Scherzer has focused intently on landing first pitch strikes this season, which has led to a higher number of strikeouts and more importantly, far fewer walks. He's currently on a staggering stretch dating back to June 14 of not issuing a free pass in 40 1/3 consecutive innings. Scherzer has 14 walks through 18 starts this season, 19 less than at the same point last year and 15 less than in his 2013 Cy Young season.

Throwing fewer pitches earlier in games has obviously given Scherzer the opportunity to pitch far deeper. His 132 innings pitched are the largest output of his career at this stage of a season. Houston's Dallas Keuchel (137 1/3 innings) and Cleveland's Corey Kluber (133 1/3 innings) are the only pitchers in the majors who have logged more innings than Scherzer and both have done it with one more start.

Scherzer has thrown 100 or more pitches in 13 of his 18 starts with his high mark coming in his 16-strikeout, one-hit shutout over Milwaukee on Jun 14 when he reached 116.

"I'm fine with the workload," Scherzer said. "I've always said I'm built for 110 pitches and I go up to 120, low 120's if need be. It just takes a lot of work between the starts and that's what I'm prepared to do and that's what I've been doing. I'm comfortable with it. I want the ball in those situations. That's what I work hard to be able to do."

Scherzer figures to face a tall test to begin the second half if manager Matt Williams gives him the ball as expected on Friday night when the NL West leading Dodgers visit Nationals Park. It's likely Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly will counter with his ace Clayton Kershaw.

No big deal for Scherzer, who's no stranger to marquee matchups after starting 10 postseason games over the past four year. The Nationals will now look to Scherzer to lead them down the stretch as summer becomes fall.

"I've done some good things in the first half, but it's gonna be more important I do better things in the second half because this is when it's gonna matter," Scherzer said. "I know what it takes to win in these situations to get to October. Hopefully us as a team, we're able to play our best baseball and be able to get there."