Corey Seager hit a home run off the first pitch he saw from Max Scherzer to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 1-0 lead over the Washington Nationals.
The National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a quick start to their postseason. Following a Chase Utley strikeout, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager hit a home run off Max Scherzer. He hit the home run on the first pitch he saw from the Nationals’ ace and it gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
Seager is easily one of the best shortstops in the majors. He should win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Moreover, many have him as a legitimate NL MVP candidate with an .877 OPS and 26 homers on the year. Seager has impressive numbers, with a 137 wRC+ and a 7.5 fWAR. If Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant doesn’t win the MVP, it should be Seager.
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The Nationals will have to strike quickly to counter Seager’s home run. And they’ll have to do it against a healthy and rested Clayton Kershaw, who many believe to be the best starting pitcher in baseball. Kershaw ended the regular season with a 1.69 ERA in 21 starts for the Dodgers.
Scherzer continues to have home run problems. While he is easily one of the few true aces today, he has an undeniable penchant for giving up home runs. Scherzer gave up 31 home runs in the regular season, the most in baseball. Since joining the Nationals in 2014, Scherzer has allowed 58 home runs. Despite the home runs, he still has a 2.88 ERA and a 3.00 FIP with the Nationals. Scherzer also had the lowest WHIP in the majors with a 0.968 mar and led the majors with 288 strikeouts. The Nationals are looking for their
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Despite the home runs, he still has a 2.88 ERA and a 3.00 FIP with the Nationals. Scherzer also had the lowest WHIP in the majors with a 0.968 mark and led the majors with 288 strikeouts. The Nationals are looking for their first-ever postseason series victory, as they have lost in their first two Division Series appearances.