Scherzer leaves final regular-season game with hamstring cramp

Max Scherzer was removed from Saturday night's start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the top of the fourth inning after throwing only 54 pitches. The Washington Nationals ace left with a cramp in his right hamstring, according to MLB.com's Jamal Collier.

Losing a pitcher of Scherzer's caliber this close to the playoffs is less than ideal, though Nationals manager Dusty Baker said removing Scherzer was precautionary, and that it won't impact the playoff rotation.

The intense right-hander appeared to tweak something in his leg during the delivery of a pitch to Pirates first baseman Josh Bell.

It's an unfortunate way for his regular season to end. Scherzer could very well win the National League Cy Young Award for going 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 200 2/3 innings. He finished second in the majors with 268 strikeouts, trailing only Boston Red Sox lefty Chris Sale.

Washington kicks off the five-game National League Division Series at Nationals Park against the Chicago Cubs on Friday.