Sometimes I have to try to remind myself that I don't try to strike out hitters.
— Max Scherzer
I've had a better 2017 than I've had 2016, just like a better '16 than '15 and '14.
I relish pitching underneath pressure.
Being in the clubhouse, talking to the veterans, talking to guys who have been here, getting to know everybody, getting the personalities, you can actually learn a lot from the other players in the league.
You have to have the ultimate faith and belief in what you do.
The game can come down to one pitch. But when you're actually out there on the mound and when you're pitching, you can't be worrying about the margin of error or whatnot. You have to go with your strengths and what you believe is the right pitch and keep executing pitches.
The expectations and pressure doesn't mean you change. That's something that's always been instilled in me, and doesn't matter what the situation or what the game means, I'm always going to approach the game the same way.
That's why you went to school, because you realize that, being a professional athlete, there's a good chance you're not going to make it. You need an education, that's why for me, it was such an important decision to go to college and further my education to provide me a safety net in case this didn't work out.
I've gotten to visit all the parks and put my name inside the Fenway wall.
There's really no secret to this; that everybody's - they are going to have a game plan against me and I'm going to have a game plan against them. It just comes down to execution.
For me, I'm always willing to help young guys, because veterans have helped me out.
I'm a fly-ball pitcher, guys.
You never stay the same - as a pitcher, as an athlete. It doesn't matter what you do, you never stay the same.
In previous experiences of being in the All-Star Games, you know, seeing the hometown players and how the fans get behind the hometown players, it's always been a special moment just watching that from afar and being on the other side.
When you can celebrate with your teammates on just a major accomplishment, there's nothing better.
Sometimes in this game, you get punched in the face. And you've got to be able to take it and learn from it.
Any time I've put extra work in, I see results.
Sometimes you have to throw 120 pitches to figure yourself out.
It's my goal every single year. That's the only goal I really set for myself is to make sure I'm better every single year.
Put as much pressure on me as possible. I have no qualms handling that, because I expect that out of myself.
I know how to pitch.
That's sometimes the hardest thing to do as a professional athlete, because when you get lit up, you wear it, especially as a starting pitcher.
Strikeouts are important. Anytime you can generate an out without the ball being put in play, there's nothing that can be done in those situations.
Turning 30, life has definitely changed - it's changed for the better.
When I was 18, graduating high school, I was going to the University of Missouri.
You always have to get better.
I think every facet of running has its benefits towards a starting pitcher. I mean, you're explosive off the mound and yet you've got to have endurance.
I love competing against the best.
I don't know what my record's going to be. I can't dictate it. I mean, obviously I have to pitch well, but it also takes the guys at the plate to show up as well.
Celebrating with your team after wins, that's the best.
Everyone wants to criticize my mechanics, but maybe I've got good mechanics that make the ball go up.
When Jim Leyland calls - and I have so much respect for Jim Leyland - when he asked me to play, you don't say no.
I pitch to win.
Every single pitcher is making changes every single start. You can talk to any pitcher about this.
It's always, 'No matter what the outing is, you can always find a way to be a better pitcher.' No matter what you do.
I expect to pitch well and pitch efficiently.
I'm not throwing a no-hitter Opening Day. It's just not going to happen.
That's when I'm at my best. When I can throw a fastball over in the count, just throw strikes both in and away, it just sets up all my stuff.
Sometimes you have to look at a start and say, 'Nothing is wrong.' Even when you get lit up, you still have to say 'Nothing is wrong.'
Fenway Park is a fun place to pitch in. You've got 38,000 fans all cheering against you. It's an intense atmosphere.
Push yourself every single day to continue to work at yourself. And I feel like that's the reason why I made it.
I don't get caught up in the hoopla, worry about where I'm pitching or if I'm pitching Game 1 or Game 5.
If I can execute pitches and keep the ball out of the middle of the plate, I know I can have success.
Yeah, I've always been very straightforward when you start dealing with injuries. You always have to communicate with the trainers and the manager and the pitching coach exactly where you're at.
Your pitches have to be sharp every time out.
You either get better or you get worse. Those are the only two options.
A lot of times, I've always looked at pitching in the All-Star Game as a prelude to how you pitch in the postseason, sometimes how you might have to pitch on two days' rest out of the pen, only throw one inning and then you have to go face the best hitters. That's what you do in the All-Star Game.
I just continue to keep getting better.
When you give your team five innings, you don't really feel good about five innings.
You have to be able to analyze yourself and critique yourself from every which way.
