Max Scherzer might be dominating on the mound this season, but at the plate, he’s been ice cold. Despite stepping in for over 50 plate appearances, Scherzer doesn’t have a single hit to show for it. He’s put more than 30 balls in play, made solid contact a few times, and even ripped one to deep right off Kershaw that looked like it would find the gap. But no luck. It was caught.
Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw just came off the injured list and immediately picked up a hit. Facing Zac Gallen, Kershaw worked the count, put a slow roller into play, and beat it out for an infield single. He didn’t crush it, just tapped it. That soft contact approach worked, and it was enough to break through with a base hit. Scherzer wasn’t thrilled. He cursed about the bad luck and laughed it off with Kershaw, who just told him to “tap it.” The contrast between the two pitchers’ hitting luck couldn’t be more clear.