Scherzer admitted to debating retirement while rehabbing his thumb injury earlier in the year, stating that he could barely grip the ball and felt ineffective on the mound for the first time in his life. When he did return, he got lit up and allowed 17 runs in 15 innings in September.
Watch Puka Nacua on the sideline before each offensive possession, and you'll see the Los Angeles receiver ask a teammate to hit his pads. Hard. Players from tight end Tyler Higbee to left guard Steve Avila, tackle AJ Arcuri and former Rams center Brian Allen have participated in the ritual over Nacua's three years in the league. Nacua said he has a "mixture of guys" who have done it, but he's picky: "I want somebody who's got a good slap in them," Nacua said. "I don't want them to baby me, for sure."
