Max Scherzer focused on cleaning up mistakes

When the Nationals signed Max Scherzer 11 months ago, it was viewed as an obscene addition to an already dominant starting rotation that would surely lead to a World Series berth. For the most part, Scherzer did not disappoint. But widespread injuries, underachieving around the roster and clubhouse friction led to playoff elimination in late September for the Nationals.

Scherzer was arguably the National League's most dominant pitcher throughout the first half of the season. He posted a 2.11 ERA with 150 strikeouts and only 14 walks over 132 innings. Scherzer threw a no-hitter and one-hitter in back-to-back starts in the midst of a streak of 24 2/3 scoreless innings.

Following the All-Star break, Scherzer was not commanding his fastball with the same effect. He went 4-5 with a 3.72 ERA while surrendering 17 homers in 15 starts. When the Nationals needed Scherzer most, as they were slipping further away from playoff contention in August, the right-hander stumbled to an 0-3 record with a 6.43 ERA over five starts.

Scherzer rebounded with two outstanding performances in his final two starts. He tossed 7 1/3 no-hit innings in a win over the Reds and then followed it up with a 17-strikeout no-hitter in a win over the Mets in the second-to-last game of the year. He finished 14-12 with a 2.79 ERA and 276 strikeouts, second-most in the majors.

"I've really thought long and hard - really in that second half - about why I was able to give up so many home runs," Scherzer said during Winterfest. "I don't want to sit here and tell you those answers because it's all in theory. I gotta actually go out and do it to see if I'm right or wrong. It's something I took seriously and really thought about different things I can do differently and how I can pitch differently against the same hitters. Even in October, I was thinking about those things."

Scherzer feels a bit more comfortable heading into his second year in Washington.

"I'm able to joke with everybody a little bit harsher now," he said.

But his personality and work ethic quickly created a presence in the Nationals clubhouse early last season. Now as an established leader, Scherzer demands maximum effort and focus for a return to the postseason.

"It's all about winning," Scherzer said. "When you come to the park and you walk those doors and you come into the clubhouse, your only thought at that point in time has to be about winning and what it takes to do that. Because there's times off the field where there's decisions you're making that you have to understand that you're living with. That can be some pressure, but that all has to completely subside when you walk into clubhouse. When you walk into that clubhouse, it's about winning. And if it's not then you need to go."

That attitude is attractive to new Nationals pitching coach Mike Maddux, who is relishing the opportunity to work with the ultra-intense Scherzer.

"Love it, man," Maddux said when asked about Scherzer stalking around the mound during starts. "I'd rather see a guy with snot coming out of his nose than I would a guy out there being a Tinker Bell. Sure, stomp your feet, make yourself known. If you hold yourself to a high standard ... You can pitch with emotion but you can't pitch emotionally. So you get mad, yeah, you stomp it and it's done versus the guy that holds it in, holds it in, holds it in and then snaps. It's OK to let it out and I like that. All you're doing is holding yourself to a higher standard and I'm all for it."