Wrote enough about Scherzer a couple of days ago, so here’s a quick list of notes from his first start.

1.) Final line, if you hadn’t seen it: 4IP, 7H, 5R, 2ER, 5Ks, 2 BBs

2.) That fastball is nice, very nice, and he can command it extremely well. Especially like how he can climb the ladder with two strikes. He was a pretty consistent 93-94 with it and peaked around 96.

3.) Slider and change-up need some work. When you can’t throw offspeed pitches for strikes, big league hitters will hurt you, as the Phillies did Scherzer on Monday.

4.) The mechanics appeared smoother as his mindset was to pace himself.

5.) Still better suited for a bullpen role, where he can hone a fastball-slider combination and forget about the change-up. Or vice versa, he’s got about an equally good feel for both pitches.

6.) Will likely be in a bullpen role when Doug Davis returns from the disabled list.

7.) Defense didn’t help him. Orlando Hudson’s Gold Glove D at second was limited by a hamstring injury, and shortstop Stephen Drew booted a groundball to open the floodgates for a four-run Phillies third inning. Read more »