Max Scherzer has some of the best control of any pitcher in baseball, mixing pinpoint control with a whole lot of gas.
But he isn't perfect, and he's due to have a really awkward pitch every now and then. Thursday was his every now and then.
Either he got crossed up, distracted, or had an out-of-body experience, but Scherzer's windup went haywire, nearly causing him to put his foot down and stop. That would have been a balk.
Instead, he threw a pitch that--to channel Bob Uecker's iconic line--was "Juuuust a bit outside."
Max Scherzer's new 50 Cent-inspired pitch. -- pic.twitter.com/L4BSEJhEk8
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 21, 2018The good news is that Scherzer didn't hurt himself, didn't hang a pitch to Orioles slugger Manny Machado, and didn't balk. No matter how far outside the pitch was, it only counted for one ball.
And catcher Pedro Severino, who had the task of chasing down the ball, had a good chuckle with his pitcher afterward.
Twitter user @PitchingNinja also did a nice overlay of his fastball and pitching homage to 50 Cent:
In case you were wondering, Scherzer's new pitch tunnels really well with his Fastball. -- pic.twitter.com/CHxTtVmudG
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 22, 2018It was a lone tough spot in an otherwise electric night for Scherzer and the Nationals, who took care of business against the lowly Orioles, 4-2.
Scherzer finished the night allowing just five hits and two runs over seven innings and nine strikeouts. Somehow the wild pitch just adds to his legend.
Follow Brian Tinsman and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter.
