LEADING OFF: Scherzer unbeaten with Dodgers, faces Reds

A look at what's happening around the majors today:

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MAX EFFORT

Max Scherzer has dominated since being traded to the Dodgers, and tries to extend his streak of success when he pitches at Cincinnati in a matchup with playoff implications.

Scherzer is 6-0 with an 0.88 ERA in eight starts for Los Angeles, which got the three-time Cy Young Award winner and star infielder Trea Turner from Washington at the trade deadline in late July. In 51 innings for the Dodgers, Scherzer has allowed just 29 hits and struck out 72.

Overall, the 37-year-old Scherzer leads the majors with a 2.17 ERA and is a combined 14-4 for the Dodgers and Nationals.

The Dodgers have already clinched a playoff spot and are two games behind the first-place Giants in the NL West. Sonny Gray (7-7, 3.80) starts for the Reds as they aim for a wild-card berth.

CHANCE TO CLINCH

Milwaukee can secure its fourth consecutive postseason appearance with another win over the Chicago Cubs and losses by Cincinnati and San Diego. That would assure the Brewers at least a wild card as they close in on the NL Central title.

All-Star Corbin Burnes (10-4, 2.25 ERA) makes his first start since teaming with closer Josh Hader on a no-hitter last weekend. Burnes tossed the first eight innings and Hader worked the ninth in a 3-0 victory Saturday at Cleveland that marked the second no-hitter in Brewers history.

Milwaukee, which has a 12 1/2-game lead in the division, has beaten the Cubs 10 straight times. The Brewers’ only longer winning streak over a single opponent came in 2008 when they won 12 in a row against Pittsburgh.

LIKE FINE WAIN

Longtime Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright has been as sharp as ever lately, winning five straight starts going into this outing against San Diego at Busch Stadium.

The 40-year-old Wainwright...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Scherzer-unbeaten-with-Dodgers-16469189.php