The Los Angeles Dodgers were deemed the unquestioned winner of the trade deadline this season by acquiring not only Max Scherzer but Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals as well.
Most anticipated Scherzer getting traded at the deadline as the Nationals sought to begin their rebuild, but there wasn’t the same certainty with Turner — much less that he would be included in the same deal as Scherzer.
Both players have raved about their transition to the Dodgers and noted making the change together helped the process. And with Scherzer now in the midst of a historic stretch for L.A., Turner is who can best put it in perspective.
“I was there for at least parts of his Cy Young years, and for me, this is as good as I can remember him,” Turner said after Scherzer tossed seven shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds.
“I think he’s been so efficient. In the past he would have his games where he would throw 100 pitches in six innings and have to grind it out, but I felt like the last few starts he’s been so efficient while striking people out.
“Probably the most dominant I’ve seen him, or at least tied for it.”
With the win Scherzer improved to 7-0 with a 0.78 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 79 strikeouts and a .150 batting average against in nine starts for the Dodgers.
While this may be the best the future Hall of Famer has pitched, Scherzer stopped short of fully agreeing with Turner.
“From results, yes. But I don’t get caught up in results,” he began. “It’s the process, it’s executing pitches, it’s having every single pitch and going out there with a plan, and knowing what you want to do with it. Is getting results great? Yes, it is. But at the same time, I’m not worried about the results because at any one moment, the results can flip on you.
“You can’t really get caught up in the results. It’s great to go out there and throw shutout innings, but it’s more important to have blinders up and just focus on what you can control. That’s controlling your executions, controlling your pitches and making sure you’re consistent from start to start. That’s how I think, that’s how I live, and the results are what they are.”
Scherzer credits Turner
Although Scherzer has been the focal point of the Dodgers’ midseason trade, Turner’s contributed as well.
“I’ve gotten to see him now for years, and he’s such a talent,” Scherzer said. “All facets of the game, the way his speed plays up, his power, he just really understands what his strengths are and he’s a tough guy too.
“The injuries that he plays through, that’s what shows me that he’s great. You can be dinged up and still go out there and perform. I’ve gotten to see it for years now and obviously he’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever played with.”
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