Maxwell Martin Scherzer...He and his wife, Erica, have three daughters and a son...Scherzer and his wife are passionate supporters of the Humane Rescue Alliance, a Washington, D.C. organization that protects animals, supports families and advocates for positive change to create a world where all animals can thrive...Has adopted four dogs...Graduated from Parkway Central High School...Is a native of Chesterfield, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis...Attended the University of Missouri, where he was named the Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore in 2005...During his collegiate career, went 16-8 while posting a 2.40 ERA (55 ER/206.1 IP) with a pair of complete games, 80 walks and 232 strikeouts in 43 appearances (31 starts)...Inducted into the University of Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2011...In his MLB career, is an eight-time All-Star (2013-19, 2021), three-time Cy Young Award winner (2013, 2016-17), and two-time World Series champion (2019 & 2023)...Ranks second among active pitchers in strikeouts (3,407), innings pitched (2,878.0), wins (216) and starts (457)...Ranks 11th in MLB history in strikeouts, as one of just 19 pitchers to have reached the 3,000-career strikeout mark...Has recorded nine seasons with 200+ strikeouts, trailing only Nolan Ryan (15), Randy Johnson (13), Roger Clemens (12), and Tom Seaver (10) for the most in MLB history...Has recorded 113 contests with 10+ strikeouts in his career, trailing only Nolan Ryan (215) and Randy Johnson (212) for the most in MLB history...Is one of just 11 pitchers in MLB history with at least three Cy Young Awards and one of six to win the award in both the American and National League...One of two pitchers in MLB history with both a 20-strikeout game and a no-hitter in his career, joining Randy Johnson...Has thrown three immaculate innings in his career, tied for the most in MLB history with Chris Sale and Sandy Koufax.
2025
Among active pitchers, ranks second in strikeouts (3,489), innings pitched (2,963.0), and starts (474), while also ranking third in wins (221)...Threw 4.1 innings of one-run ball on four hits and one walk with three strikeouts in Game 7 of the World Series vs. LAD on Nov. 1...Became the fourth pitcher in MLB history to start multiple winner-take-all Game 7’s, joining Bob Gibson (3), Lew Burdette and Don Larsen...Started the last Game 7 of the World Series on Oct. 22, 2019 as a member of the Nationals,...At 41 years and 97 days, became the oldest player to start Game 7 of the World Series in MLB history...Took the no-decision on Oct. 27 in Game 3 of the World Series at LAD, pitching 4.1 innings allowing three runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts...Became the first player in MLB history to pitch in the World Series with four different teams (DET - 2012, WSH - 2019, TEX - 2023, TOR - 2025)...Made his 500th career MLB start (reg+post), giving up two runs on three hits and four walks over 5.2 innings with five strikeouts on Oct. 16 at SEA in Game 4 of the ALCS...Touched 96.5 MPH on a four-seamer to Cal Raleigh in the first inning, his fastest pitch since June 24, 2023 (96.6 MPH)...Earned his first postseason win since Game 1 of the 2019 World Series on Oct. 22 at HOU...Became the fourth starting pitcher in postseason history to earn a win at the age of 41 or older, joining Roger Clemens (5x), Kenny Rogers (3x), and Dennis Martinez...With his five punchouts, reached 176 career postseason strikeouts, surpassing Roger Clemens (173K) for 5th-most in MLB history...Tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts on Aug. 19 at PIT...Threw a season-high 104 pitches, his most in a start since Aug. 3, 2024 vs. CWS (105)...Marked his sixth quality start of the season...Threw 6.0 innings surrendering two runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts, while tossing a then season-high 98 pitches on Aug. 8 at LAD...Tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball on five hits and zero walks with five strikeouts, while limiting hitters to an 84.6 MPH average exit velocity on Aug. 2 vs. KC...Threw a season-high 7.0+ innings on Aug. 14 vs. CHC, surrendering one run on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts…Threw 57 strikes on 78 pitches (73%), his fewest pitches thrown in a start of at least 7.0 innings pitched in his career, surpassing an 82-pitch outing across 7.0 innings on April 23, 2015 vs. STL...Became the third pitcher in franchise history to win multiple games at age-41 or older, joining R.A. Dickey (10) and Darren Oliver (6)...Threw 7.0 frames of three-run ball on July 27 at DET, giving up three hits with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts... Marked his most punchouts in a start since striking out 11 on Aug. 14, 2023 vs. LAA...Earned his first win as Blue Jay on July 11 at ATH, throwing a season-high 6.0 innings while allowing three runs on five hits and a walk with a season-high eight strikeouts...Became the third starting pitcher in franchise history to win a game at age 40 or older, joining R.A. Dickey (21 wins from May 4, 2015-Sept. 16, 2016) and Dave Stieb (Aug. 29, 1998 vs. MIN)...Threw 5.0 innings of two-run ball on three hits and zero walks with seven strikeouts on June 30 vs. NYY…Notched eight whiffs to go along with 16 total called strikes, including nine with his four-seamer...Made his Blue Jays debut on March 29 vs. BAL, pitching 3.0 innings allowing a pair of runs on three hits and zero walks with one strikeout...Was removed from the game in the fourth inning with right lat soreness.
2024
Started nine games for the Rangers, posting a 3.95 ERA (19 ER/43.1 IP) with a 4.19 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 5.6% walk rate, 22.6% strikeout rate, 29.2% whiff rate, 36.4% chase rate and a 34.9% hard-hit rate...Against his slider, opponents hit .214 with a .218 xBA, .229 wOBA, .249 xwOBA, 30.2% strikeout rate, 43.8% whiff rate and a 45.5% chase rate...Allowed three-or-fewer earned runs in eight of his nine starts, notching three quality starts...Made his longest start of the season on July 9 at LAA, throwing 6.2 innings...Held right-handed hitters to a .228 AVG and a .237 OBP with a 1.1% walk rate, 28% strikeout rate, 36.8% whiff rate and a 42.1% chase rate...Posted a 26 K/BB ratio against right-handed batters, the second-highest K/BB rate against right handers in the Majors (min. 50 right-handed batters faced), trailing only RHP Justin Slaten (27.00 K/BB)...Was placed on the injured list three times during the season...On the injured list from March 28-June 22 due to recovery from lower back surgery, from Aug. 2-Sept. 13 with right shoulder fatigue, and from Sept. 21 through the end of the season with a left hamstring strain...Recorded his 3371 career strikeout on June 23 vs. KC, tying Greg Maddux for 11th all-time in MLB history...Surpassed him the next start on June 28 at BAL...Notched a season-high nine strikeouts on July 25 vs. CWS, two days before his 40th birthday...At 39.364 years old, became the oldest Texas pitcher to record a nine-strikeout game since Nolan Ryan (45.188 years old) on Aug. 6, 1992 vs. OAK (12 strikeouts)...On July 30 at STL, became the sixth pitcher in Rangers history to make a start at age 40 or older, joining Nolan Ryan, Charlie Hough, Kenny Rogers, Bartolo Colon and Gaylord Perry.
2023
Combined to go 13-6, 3.77 ERA (64 ER/152.2 IP) with 174 strikeouts across 27 games/starts with NYM (19 GS) and TEX (8 GS) in his 16th Major League season…his 10.26 SO/9 figure was his lowest since 2013 (10.08), but was the 7thhighest mark ever by a pitcher in his age 38-or-older season (min. 150.0 IP)…was on the 15-day IL from 9/13-end of season with a right teres major muscle strain, an injury he suffered in start on 9/12 at TOR (W, 5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R)…opponents batted .221/.282/.407/.689 (126-570), including opp. BA’s of .220 (62- 282) vs. RHB and .222 (64-282) vs. LHB…allowed at least one HR in 16 of 27 GS and 2+ HR in 7 GS, as 1.65 HR/9 figure was highest of his career (prev. 1.34 in 2011 w/ DET)…opp. BA by time thru the order: first (.202, 44-218), second (.211, 46-218), third (.267, 35-131), and fourth+ (1-3)…69.9% 1st-pitch strike pct. was the 3rd-highest mark of career (71.3% in 2015 and 70.4% in 2019). WITH TEXAS: Was acquired from the Mets, along with cash considerations, in exchange for INF/OF Luisangel Acuña on 7/30, and added to Texas’ active roster on 8/1…went 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA (16 ER/45.0 IP), 15 BB/53 SO, .174 opp. BA (28-161) over his 8 starts with the Rangers, but finished the season on the IL…his 2.21 ERA over his first six starts with TEX was the 2nd-lowest ever by a pitcher in his first 6 GS in WSH/ TEX franchise history, trailing only a 1.84 ERA (11 ER/53.2 IP) by Fergie Jenkins over his first 6 GS of the 1974 campaign… Scherzer’s 47 SO in that span were also the 2nd-most ever by a Ranger in his first six GS with the club (52-Nolan Ryan in 1989)…was just the 3rd pitcher in club history to earn wins in each of his first 3 GS with the team, joining Aaron Sele (1998) and Jamie Moyer (1989)…earned win in TEX debut on 8/3 vs. CWS (6.0 IP, 3 R-ER), as nine SO in that game were most in a TEX debut since Moyer on 4/8/89 vs. TOR (13 SO)...Went 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA (48 ER/107.2 IP), 121 SO/30 BB, and a .240 opp. BA over 19 G/GS with the Mets last season, ranking among N.L. leaders through the end of July in SO/9 (eighth, 10.11), BR/9 (eighth, 10.95), SO/BB ratio (ninth, 4.03), WHIP (ninth, 1.19), and wins (T9th)...At 39 years, seven days old for his Rangers debut on 8/3 vs. CWS, Scherzer became the oldest pitcher to start a game for Texas since Bartolo Colon on 9/5/18 vs. LAA (45 years, 104 days)…his eight road wins were T4th-most in MLB behind ATL’s Spencer Strider (12), BAL’s Kyle Gibson (nine), and SEA’s Logan Gilbert (9)…posted season-high 11 SO on 8/14 vs. LAA (W, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 SO) as part of combined one-hitter with LHP Martín Pérez (2.0 IP, 0 H)...permitted career high-tying 4 HR on 7/22 at BOS w/ NYM (4x, last 4/6/21 vs. ATL w/ WAS)…logged season-high 8.0 IP on 6/19 at HOU (W, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R-ER)...recorded his 111th career double-digit strikeout game on 6/7 at ATL (10 SO), moving ahead of Hall-of-Famer Pedro Martínez for third place all-time…was scratched from scheduled start on 5/9 at SEA with neck spasms…ejected from start on 4/19 at LAD w/ NYM due to use of foreign substances, and was on MLB restricted list from 4/20-5/1 while serving 10-G suspension due to the incident.
POSTSEASON: Had 3 G/GS for Texas in club’s 2023 World Series title run (ALCS G3 and G7, WS G3), going 0-1, 6.52 (7 ER/9.2 IP) as he returned from a late-season triceps injury…started and took ND in Rangers’ ALCS G7 victory in Houston to clinch the pennant…posted 3.0 SHO IP in WS G3 at ARI as Texas took a 2-games-to-1 lead in the series, but exited early due to back tightness…started WS G3 at age 39 years, 95 days, just the 16th pitcher in WS history to make a start at such a late age…also oldest pitcher ever to start for Texas in the postseason…became just eighth pitcher ever to make a World Series start with 3 different franchises: John Lackey, Roger Clemens, Danny Jackson, Charlie Morton, Jack Morris, Bullet Joe Bush, and Curt Schilling (MLB’s Sarah Langs)...For his career, has gone 7-8 with a 3.78 ERA (60 ER/143.0 IP) over 30 G/25 GS in the postseason with a 1.154 WHIP and 10.76 SO/9…ranks among all-time postseason leaders (min. 40.0 IP) in strikeouts (sixth, 171), starts (eighth), innings (11th, 143.0), SO/9 (16th, 10.76)…owns five career 10+ strikeout games in the postseason (last 10 SO on 10/11/21, NLDS G3 vs. SF w/ LAD) ranking T3rd-most in MLB history behind only Justin Verlander (8) and Clayton Kershaw (6)…is winless in his last 9 G/8 GS in the Postseason (0-3, 5.00) since his last victory with Washington in Game 1 of the 2019 World Series on 10/22/19 at HOU (W, 5.0 IP, 2 R-ER)…also started decisive Game 7 of 2019 World Series on 10/30/19 at HOU (ND, 5.0 IP, 2 R-ER, 3 SO)…faced 2009 Cy Young Award-winner Zack Greinke in that start, the first time in World Series history that a pair of Cy Young Award winners faced off in Game 7 (Elias)… has gone 1-0, 3.26 ERA (7 ER/19.1 IP) over four games/starts spanning a trio of Fall Classic appearances with Detroit (2012, 1 GS), Washington (2019, 2 GS), and Texas (2023, 1 GS), capturing World Series titles in 2019 and 2023…went 3-0, 2.40 ERA (8 ER/30.0 IP), 37 SO/15 BB over 6 G/5 GS in the 2019 Postseason, with the Nationals going 6-0 in his outings.
2022
Posted a 2.29 ERA (37 ER/145.1 IP) in his first season with the Mets, the lowest mark in a season in his career and the best all-time in a pitcher's first season with the Mets (min. 140.0 innings)... Ranked sixth in the majors (min. 140.0 innings) with a 2.29 ERA, ninth with a 10.71 K/9 ratio, second with a 0.91 WHIP and third with a 7.21 K/BB ratio... Among pitchers to face 500 or more batters, his .207 opponent average ranked 14th in the majors, while his .574 OPS against ranked eighth... His 0.91 WHIP was not just the best mark by a Met in his first season with the club, it was the best by any Met in club history (min. 140.0 innings)... Threw 7.0 shutout innings vs. the Yankees on his 38th birthday, July 27...Became the second pitcher ever to toss 7.0 or more scoreless frames on his birthday at 38 or older, joining Sad Sam Jones, who threw a shutout on his 42nd birthday in 1934... Returned from the IL and threw 6.0 perfect innings on Sept. 19 at Milwaukee, earning his 200th career win and helping the Mets clinch their first playoff berth in six years.
POSTSEASON: Started Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series vs. San Diego...Allowed a Mets Postseason-record seven runs in 4.2 innings and surrendered a Mets Postseason-record four home runs.
2021
Finished third in the NL Cy Young vote, his sixth top-3 finish...Split the year between Washington and Los Angeles-NL...Won his final 11 decisions of the season beginning June 4, going 11-0 with a 2.54 ERA (31 ER/110.0 IP) in his last 19 starts of the year...Led the majors in WHIP (career-best 0.86) and opponent batting average (.185)...Had the second-best ERA (career-best 2.46) and ranked fourth in strikeouts (236)...Notched his ninth career 200-strikeout season...Made 11 starts for the Dodgers after being traded on July 30...The Dodgers won all 11 of his starts, with Scherzer posting a 1.98 ERA for LA...Struck out 89 and walked only eight in 68.1 innings after the trade...Went 37.2 innings without allowing an earned run from August 21-September 23...On September 12 vs. San Diego, pitched an immaculate inning and came within five outs of a perfect game, losing the bid on an Eric Hosmer double in the eighth inning...In that game, recorded the 3,000th strikeout of his career to become the 19th pitcher all-time to reach that mark. POSTSEASON...Made four appearances (three starts), going 0-1 with a save and a 2.16 ERA (4 ER/16.2 IP)...Started the Wild Card Game vs. St. Louis, pitching the first 4.1 innings of a 3-1 win...Allowed just one run...Took the loss in Game 3 of the NLDS, a 1-0 Dodgers setback...Tossed 7.0 innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits and striking out 10...Earned a save, the first of his pro career, in Game 5 of the NLDS to send LA to the Championship Series...Threw 4.1 innings in Game 2 of the NLCS at Atlanta.
2020
In his sixth season with the Nationals, recorded his 11th consecutive winning season... In 12 starts, he finished the 2020 season 5-4 with a 3.64 ERA, the best mark among qualified Nationals pitchers...His 3.64 ERA was the best mark among qualified Nationals pitchers...Ranked in the National League in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (3rd, 12.30), strikeouts (6th, 92) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (8th, 4.00)...Struck out 21 batters across his first two starts of the season...Struck out 11 on Opening Day, July 23 vs. New York (AL)...Struck out 10 batters on July 29 vs. Toronto...He recorded at least 10 strikeouts five times, tied for the most in the National League with NYM Jacob deGrom and behind only CLE Shane Bieber (8) for the most in Major League Baseball...Tossed 7.0 innings/0 ER twice (7/29 at TOR, 9/7 vs. TBR)...Passed Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax with 98th 10+ strikeout game on Sept. 13 vs. Atlanta...2020 Pitch Mix: Four Seam (46%), Slider (19%), Changeup (16.1%), Cutter (9.7%), Curve (9.2%).
2019
Ranked in the National League in strikeouts per 9.0 IP (1st, 12.69), strikeout-to-walk ratio (1st, 7.36), strikeouts (3rd, 243), opp. OBP (4th, .266), WHIP (4th, 1.03) and walks per 9.0 IP (4th, 1.72)...In 17 starts from May 22 through the end of the season, Scherzer went 9-2 with a 2.44 ERA, 156 strikeouts, 19 walks and a .201 opp. AVG...Entering that start on May 22, he ranked 25th in the National League in ERA at 3.72...He finished the season ranked sixth at 2.92...On May 26th he recorded his 2,500th career strikeouts vs. San Diego (Margot)... Was named National League Pitcher of the Month for June and National League Player of the Week for the final week of the month...He went 6-0 with a 1.00 ERA (5 ER/45.0 IP) in six starts during the month...He recorded 68 strikeouts against just five walks (13.6 SO/BB), including a 24 strikeouts-to-zero-walks stretch spanning his last two starts...Turned in his strongest pitching performance of the year on June 2 to propel the Nationals to the 4-1 win and the series win over the Cincinnati Reds...He struck out 15 batters in 8.0 innings of three-hit, one-run ball to secure his third win of the season...It was the sixth time he struck out 15 or more batters in a game, tying him with Sam McDowell for the sixth-most in Major League Baseball history...Went 8-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 12 starts from June 2 to Sept. 8...Had 114 strikeouts, 13 walks and a .179 opp. AVG during the winning streak... It tied for the longest streak in the season by a Nationals player (Sánchez, 5/29-8/23) and tied for third-longest streak in the National League in 019...The Nationals won 11 of the 12 games...On Sept. 24th he recorded his 93rd, 10+ strikeout game of his career and his 11th of the season...Went 7-2 with a 2.64 ERA in 12 starts on the road this season... According to FanGraphs.com, Scherzer led all Major League Baseball pitchers in Fielding Independent Pitching (2.45) and ranked second in Wins Above Replacement (6.5)...In the 2019 Postseason he went 3-0 with a 2.40 ERA in six games (five starts)...The Nationals went 6-0 when he pitched...Opposing batters hit .193 with three doubles and four homers against him...Right-handed batters were just 10-for-59 (.169) with a double and two homers against him...Started Game 2 of the NLCS against the Cardinals...Struck out 11 batters in 7.0 innings of one-hit ball... Took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before allowing a hit to Paul Goldschmidt...Joined Roger Clemens (2000 ALCS Game 4) as the only pitchers in Postseason history to throw at least 7.0 innings with 11 strikeouts and one hit...According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he has taken a no-hitter into the fifth inning in five career Postseason starts, three more than the next closest pitcher...Earned the win in Game 1 of the World Series, tossing 5.0 innings of two-run, five-hit ball...Became the 12th pitcher in World Series history to amass at least seven punchouts while not pitching more than 5.0 innings...According to the Elias Sports Bureau, with his start against Zack Greinke, it marked the first time in World Series history that a pair of Cy Young Award winners faced off in Game 7 of the World Series...His 11.01 strikeouts per 9.0 innings in his Postseason career ranked first in MLB history among pitchers with at least 60.0 Postseason innings pitched.
2018
Placed himself in consideration for yet another National League Cy Young Award...Finished second in the voting...Was named to his sixth consecutive All-Star Game...Started the game for the National League in his home park... Went 18-7 with a 2.53 ERA in 33 starts...He led Major League Baseball with 300 strikeouts and led National League pitchers in strikeouts per 9.0 IP (12.24), strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.88), WHIP (0.91), opp. AVG (.188), innings pitched (220.2), hits per 9.0 IP (6.12) and wins (T1st, 18)...Also ranked in the NL in opp. OBP (2nd, .247), ERA (3rd, 2.53) and opp. OPS (3rd, .580)...His 51 walks were his fewest since he walked 34 in 2015...Recorded his 1,000th strikeout with Washington on July 2 vs. Boston, becoming the 11th pitcher in MLB history to collect at least 1,000 strikeouts with two different clubs... Was named National League Pitcher of the Month in both April and May... In April, he went 5-1 with a 1.62 ERA (7 ER/39.0 IP) and 57 strikeouts and just nine walks...In three starts from April 9-20, he allowed just seven hits in 71 at-bats, yielding an opponent slash line of .099/.169/.183...He struck out 30 batters and issued just four walks during this stretch of games...On April 9 against Atlanta, he tossed his ninth career complete game (fifth career shutout) to end Washington's five-game losing streak... In May, he went 4-0 with a 2.21 ERA (10 ER/40.2 IP) and 63 strikeouts against just 10 walks...He led the NL in strikeouts (63) and strikeouts per 9.0 IP (13.9)...Recorded an MLB best nine-game winning streak from April 9 to June 5...In the month of April, he was called upon to help snap five-game (4/9 vs. ATL), three-game (4/14 vs. COL) and four-game (4/25 at SFG) losing streaks...He earned the victory in each start, pitching to a 1.64 ERA (4 ER/22.0 IP) with 31 strikeouts against just three walks...Did not earn the win, but struck out a season-high 15 batters on May 6 vs. Philadelphia... It was his fifth career 15+ strikeout game...On June 2 at Atlanta, as a pinch hitter he singled and scored from first base on a triple by Wilmer Difo to give the Nationals the lead in the 14th inning...He tossed a team-best 20.0 consecutive scoreless innings from Aug. 7 to Aug. 23... Recorded his 285th strikeout of the season on Sept. 20 vs. New York (NL) a then-new career-high and a then-Nationals (2005-pres.) record for most strikeouts in a season...He capped his season with his 300th strikeout on Sept. 25 vs. Miami (Dean)...For more on Scherzer's 300 strikeout-season, see the info box on the following page...Struck out at least 10 batters in 18 of his 33 starts...Struck out at least 10 batters in 10 of his first 15 starts and at least 10 in eight of his last 12 starts.
2017
In his third year in Washington, Scherzer - yet again - placed himself among the top pitchers in MLB and solidified his standing as one of the best in history with his third Cy Young Award...In doing so, he became the first pitcher to win his league's Cy Young Award in back-to-back seasons since Clayton Kershaw took home the honors in 2013 and 2014...Scherzer led the National league in a majority of the significant pitching categories (see info boxes that follow)...He went 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA in 31 starts...Was historically good in the season's first half...Went 10-5 with a 2.10 ERA in 18 starts prior to the All-Star break...Also posted a 0.78 WHIP...That was the fourth-best mark in MLB history (since 1913) among starting pitchers... From May 26 to June 21, he struck out at least 10 batters in six straight games...His six straight 10+ strikeout games was the longest streak in the NL this season, and in Nationals history (2005-pres.)...Was named to his fifth straight All Star Game...Started for the National League squad and tossed a dominant inning, coaxing a ground out from Jose Altuve, and striking out Aaron Judge and George Springer to strand Jose Ramirez...With 12.02 SO/9.0 IP for the season at 12.02, was just the fourth pitcher in MLB history to average as many as 12 SO/9.0 IP over a season of 200-plus innings: Randy Johnson did it six times (1995, 1997-2001), Pedro Martinez (1999) and Chris Sale (2017)...Scherzer (2nd, 2.51), along with Stephen Strasburg (3rd, 2.52) and Gio Gonzalez (5th, 2.96), helped the Nationals become the first team with three starting pitchers ranking in the top five in the National League in ERA in 21 years (since the 1996 Atlanta Braves), according to the Elias Sports Bureau ...Struck out a season-high 14 batters on June 6 at Los Angeles Dodgers (7.0 IP, 3 H, R, 2 BB, 14 SO)...Tossed 9.0 dominant innings on May 31 at SFG (9.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 11 SO)...Clubbed his first career home run on Aug. 1 at MIA (O'Grady)...Tossed 6.1 strong innings in Game 3 of the NLDS...Struck out seven batters, walked three while allowing just one hit and one run along the way...Did not earn the win as the Cubs pulled away, 2-1...Endured his first disabled list stint since 2009 when he was placed on the 10-day DL with left neck inflammation from Aug. 19-28.
2016
Put together an historic season en route to earning his second Cy Young Award...In doing so, he became the first player in Nationals history (2005-present) to take home baseball's top pitching honor and just the second in franchise history (Nationals/Expos), joining only Pedro Martinez (1997)... Scherzer led the National league in a majority of the significant pitching categories (see info boxes that follow)...He went 20-7 with a 2.96 ERA in a career-high 34 starts...He tallied a career-high and Nationals record (2005-pres.) 284 strikeouts...His season was highlighted by yet another historic performance, striking out 20 Detroit Tigers on May 11 to become just the fourth pitcher in MLB history to strike out 20 batters in a nine-inning game (see info box below)...Was named an All-Star for the fourth consecutive season...He was 10-3 with a 3.03 ERA in the season's first half, won at least 10 games before the All-Star break for the fourth consecutive season...Via the Elias Sports Bureau, over the last 20 years, only two other pitchers reached double digits in wins prior to the break in each of four consecutive seasons: Greg Maddux (1997-2001) and Roy Halladay (2005-11)...The NL's only 20-game winner capped his 2016 on an eight-game winning streak...Washington was 10-0 in those 10 starts (8-0, 3.34 ERA)...From June 1 through the end of the season, he went 15-3 with a 2.44 ERA...Struck out 194 batters, walked 34 and posted a 0.91 WHIP in this 23-game span (0.91 WHIP).
2015
In his first season with Washington, earned third consecutive All-Star selection, going 14-12 with a 2.79 ERA in 33 starts...The 33 starts matched a career high...Became the fifth pitcher in Major League history to throw two no-hitters in the same regular season with his magnificent performances on June 20 vs. PIT and Oct. 3 at NYM...They were the second and third no-hitters in Nationals history (See page 283 in History and Records section for detailed accounts)...Joined Johnny Vander Meer (1938), Allie Reynolds (1951), Virgil Trucks (1952) and Nolan Ryan (1973) as the only pitchers ever to throw two no-hitters in the same regular season, and you can add Roy Halladay (2010) to that list if you include the postseason...Career-high 17 strikeouts in no-hitter on October 3 at NYM set a Nationals single-game record...According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Scherzer's 17 strikeouts tied Nolan Ryan (vs. DET, 7/15/73) for the MLB record for strikeouts in a no-hitter...Is the first pitcher in MLB history to throw two no-hitters in the same season without walking a single batter in either outing...Is the first to throw no-hitters against two postseason-bound teams in the same season... Led Major League Baseball with a 7.62 strikeout-to-walk ratio...That number ranked 13th in MLB history (since 1914)...His career-high 276 strikeouts ranked second in MLB and broke RHP Stephen Strasburg's Nationals (2005-present) single-season mark of 242 in 2014 (see chart below)...Also ranked among MLB pitchers in opponent OBP (4th, .242) and WHIP (4th, 0.92)...Ranked in the NL in complete games (T1st, 4), shutouts (T1st, 3), strikeouts per nine innings (2nd, 10.9), innings pitched (3rd, 238.2), ERA (8th, 2.79), and opp. slugging percentage (11th, .358)... Earned back-toback National League Pitcher of the Month (May/June) and National League Player of the Week honors (June 15-21)...Tossed back-to-back complete games, June 14 at MIL and June 20 vs. PIT...Per Elias, is the fifth pitcher in the Modern Era to allow one hit or fewer in back-to-back complete games.
2014
In his final season with the Tigers, went 18-5 with a 3.15 ERA en route to his second consecutive All-Star selection...Ranked among American League pitchers in wins (T1st, 18), winning percentage (2nd, .783), strikeouts per nine innings (2nd, 10.29), strikeouts (3rd, 252), innings pitched (5th, 220.1 IP), quality starts (T8th, 22) and ERA (9th, 3.15)...2014 marked the second straight season in which he led the AL (or tied for the lead) in wins...Established new single-season career highs with 220.1 innings pitched and 252 strikeouts...His strikeout total ranks as the sixth-highest single-season total in Detroit club history...Finished the season with an 18-5 record, a 3.15 ERA and 252 strikeouts...According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this marked the second time in MLB history that a pitcher, in consecutive seasons: won at least 15 games, lost no more than five, and struck out 200 or more batters, joining Sandy Koufax in 1963 and 1964... Named one of six finalists for the 2014 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award... Struck out at least seven batters in each of his first seven starts...Became the first player in Detroit history to do so and the first player in the majors to do so since San Francisco Giants Tim Lincecum in 2010... On July 12 at Chicago White Sox, making his 179th career start, threw his first career complete game (9.0 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 8 K)...Earned the win in the 2014 All-Star Game...Struck out a season-high 14 batters on Aug. 14 vs. PIT...On Aug. 15, Max and his wife Erica hosted the inaugural "Motown Showdown" Charity Fantasy Football Draft Party...Scherzer and several teammates joined donors for a special draft day event including stadium tour, brunch, happy hour and opportunity to watch the Tigers take batting practice from the field...Proceeds from the event benefitted the Detroit Police Athletic League, the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Tigers Foundation.
2013
Led the American League with 21 wins and was named the American League's Cy Young Award winner with the Tigers in 2013...Selected to the American League All-Star squad for the first time in his career -- elected to start the All-Star Game at New York's Citi Field...marked the 11th time a Tigers pitcher was elected to start the All-Star Game...Finished second in the American League with 240 strikeouts and 10.08 strikeouts per nine innings, while he was fifth with a 2.90 ERA and tied for fifth with 214.1 innings pitched...Fanned 240 batters during the season -- marked back-to-back seasons where he fanned 200-or-more batters...Struck out a season-high 12 batters on April 17 at Seattle --recorded 10-or-more strikeouts in eight outings this season...his eight such outings ranked second among all AL pitchers...Won each of his first 13 decisions to begin the season, becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to win his first 13 decisions to begin a season as a starter...Established a franchise record going 19 straight starts without a loss from September 23, 2012-July 8, 2013 -- bested the previous Tigers record held by Bobo Newsom, who did not suffer a loss in 18 straight starts from April 25-July 17, 1940...Fanned six-or-more batters in each of his first 18 outings to begin the season. The 18-game streak is the second-longest such streak in American League history, trailing only Pedro Martinez's 29-game streak to begin the 2000 season. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)...Posted a 3-0 record, a 4.02 ERA (31.1IP/4ER) and 46 strikeouts in five starts during April...Named the Tigers Pitcher of the Month for May after going 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA (45.0IP/15ER) and 45 strikeouts in six starts during the month -- tied for second in the American League with four wins, while he was third with 45 strikeouts during that stretch...Named the American League Player of the Week for the Week ending June 24, 2013...Named the Tigers Pitcher of the Month for June after posting a 5-0 record, a 2.38 ERA (24.0IP/9ER) and 40 strikeouts in five starts during the month...Tossed a quality start in 10 consecutive outings from May 21-July 8 posting an 8-0 record, a 2.34 ERA (69.1IP/18ER) and 78 strikeouts during the stretch...Recorded the 1,000th strikeout of his major league career on August 8 at Cleveland...Finished 4-0 with a 2.50 ERA (29.2IP/11ER) and 37 strikeouts in six games during August -- tied for second in the American League with four wins, while he was fifth with a 2.50 ERA and tied for sixth in strikeouts...Pitched the 1,000th inning of his major league career on September 15 versus Kansas City, doing so with 71 wins and 1,045 strikeouts. According to Elias, the only other pitcher in major league history who accumulated both as many wins and as many strikeouts as Scherzer through his first 1,000 innings is Pedro Martinez (71 wins and 1,075 strikeouts)...Recorded his 20th win of the season on September 20 versus the Chicago White Sox...became the 24th player in Tigers history to record 20-or-more wins in a season, and the first since Justin Verlander won 24 games in 2011...Limited lefties to a .222 (100x450) average...righties hit .165 (52x316) against him...Finished 2-2 with a 2.90 ERA (31.0IP/10ER) and 39 strikeouts in five games during September...Posted a 12-1 record, a 3.55 ERA (104.0IP/41ER) and 111 strikeouts in 16 starts at home... led the American League in wins, while he was third with 111 strikeouts at home...compiled a 9-2 record, a 2.28 ERA (110.1IP/28ER) and 129 strikeouts in 16 games on the road this season...led the American League with 129 strikeouts on the road, while he finished second with a 2.28 ERA, and tied for second with nine wins...Compiled a 13-1 record and a 3.19 ERA (129.2IP/46ER) and 152 strikeouts in 19 starts prior to the All-Star break...finished 8-2 with a 2.44 ERA (84.2IP/23ER) and 88 strikeouts in 13 games after the break...Earned the win in Game One and Game Four of the 2012 American League Division Series versus Oakland...Established a new franchise record with 34 strikeouts during the 2013 postseason.
2012
Led the American League with 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings, while he finished second with 231 strikeouts and tied for sixth with 16 wins...Fanned 231 batters during the season -- marked the first time during his career he has fanned 200-or-more batters in a season...Struck out nine-or-more batters in 13 of his starts during the season -- topped all major league pitchers with 13 such outings...his 13 such games marked the most by a Tigers pitcher since Mickey Lolich posted 15 games with nine-ormore strikeouts in 1971...Fanned 11 batters on April 13 at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field against the White Sox -- posted a double-digit strikeout total in three more starts during the season: May 20 versus Pittsburgh (15 strikeouts), June 17 versus Colorado (12 strikeouts) and August 15 at Minnesota (10 strikeouts)...Allowed a career-high seven walks on April 29 at New York's Yankee Stadium -- did not issue a walk in his next start on May 5 versus the Chicago White Sox to become the first Tigers pitcher to not allow a walk in the outing immediately following issuing seven-or-more walks since Milt Wilcox did so in 1984...Wilcox issued seven walks on July 4 at Chicago before not walking a batter in his next start on July 14 at Minnesota...Established a career high with 15 strikeouts on May 20 versus Pittsburgh -- all 15 of his strikeouts came on swinging strikes...according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he was the first major league pitcher with 15 swinging strikeouts since Minnesota's Johan Santana posted 15 such strikeouts on August 19, 2007 against the Rangers...Finished 4-0 with a 4.04 ERA (35.2IP/16ER) and 51 strikeouts in six starts during May -- according to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marked only the fourth time a Tigers pitcher posted an unbeaten record with at least four wins and 50 strikeouts during a calendar month...he joined Jack Morris (August of 1983) and Justin Verlander (May of 2009 and June of 2011) in accomplishing the feat...led the American League with 51 strikeouts during May, while he tied for the lead with four wins...Missed his scheduled start on July 3 versus Minnesota due to soreness in his left hamstring...Struck out at least eight batters in 10 consecutive starts July 19-September 7 -- marked the longest such streak of outings by a Tigers pitcher since at least 1918...Won five straight starts August 10-September 1, compiling a 1.03 ERA (35.0IP/4ER) and 44 strikeouts -- according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first pitcher in club history to win five straight starts while averaging more than one strikeout per inning and not allowing more than two runs during any of the starts...Registered a quality start in seven straight outings August 10-September 12 -- posted a 6-0 record, 1.29 ERA (49.0IP/7ER) and 60 strikeouts during the seven-start stretch...Matched a career high with a six-game winning streak August 10-September 12...Tabbed the Tigers Pitcher of the Month for August after compiling a 4-0 record, 2.25 ERA (32.0IP/8ER) and 44 strikeouts in five starts during the month -- tied for the lead in the American League with four wins during August, while he tied for second with 44 strikeouts and was seventh with a 2.25 ERA...Finished 2-1 with a 2.17 ERA (29.0IP/7ER) and 33 strikeouts in five starts during September -- fourth in the American League with a 2.17 ERA during the month...Compiled a 7-3 record and 3.51 ERA (82.0IP/32ER) in 14 starts at home...finished 9-4 with a 3.92 ERA (105.2IP/46ER) in 18 starts on the road...Posted an 8-2 record, 2.69 ERA (90.1IP/27ER) and 110 strikeouts in 15 starts following the all-star break...finished 8-5 with a 4.72 ERA (97.1IP/51ER) and 121 strikeouts in 17 starts prior to the all-star break...Limited righthanded hitters to a .201 batting average (66x329)...lefties batted .292 (113x387) with him on the mound...Fanned 10 batters in Game Four of the American League Championship Series on October 18 versus the New York Yankees -- became the sixth Tigers pitcher to strike out 10-or-more batters during a post-season game in club history.
2011
Completed his second season with the Tigers in 2011, establishing a career best with 15 wins...Tied for ninth in the American League with a .625 winning percentage...Earned the win in his first six decisions of the season April 3-May 9, establishing a career-best winning streak -- marked the most consecutive wins to begin the season by a Tigers pitcher since Jeremy Bonderman won his first eight decisions of the 2007 season...Compiled a 16.0-inning scoreless streak over a three-start stretch April 18-29...Tabbed the Tigers Pitcher of the Month for March/April after compiling a 4-0 record, 3.82 ERA (37.2IP/12ER) and 37 strikeouts in six starts -- tied for third in the American League with four wins during that stretch, while he finished sixth with 37 strikeouts...Posted a 2-2 record and 2.14 ERA (33.2IP/8ER) over a five-start stretch July 7-August 2...Fanned a season-high 10 batters on August 13 at Baltimore...Made the 100th start of his major league career on September 21 at Kansas City...Tied for ninth in the American League with 32 strikeouts during September...Held righthanded hitters to a .262 batting average (90x343)...lefties hit .281 (117x417) against him...Opponents hit .188 (29x154) with runners in scoring position against him, fourth best in the American League...Posted an 8-4 record and 3.80 ERA (109.0IP/46ER) in 18 starts at home...finished 7-5 with a 5.23 ERA (86.0IP/50ER) in 15 starts on the road...Compiled a 10-4 record and 4.69 ERA (111.1IP/58ER) in 19 starts prior to the all-star break...finished 5-5 with a 4.09 ERA (83.2IP/38ER) in 14 starts following the all-star break.
2010
Completed his first season with the Tigers in 2010, establishing a career high with 12 wins and 184 strikeouts -- according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became just the third pitcher in franchise history to compile at least 12 wins and 180 strikeouts in his first season with the club to join "Wild Bill" Donovan in 1903 (17-16, 187 SO) and Joe Coleman in 1971 (20-9, 236 SO) in accomplishing the feat ... Sixth among American League pitchers with 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings ... Optioned to Triple A Toledo by the Tigers on May 15 -- made two starts with the Mud Hens before he was recalled for the remainder of the season by the Tigers on May 30 ... Compiled an 11-7 record, 2.46 ERA (153.2IP/42ER) and 158 strikeouts in 23 starts over the remainder of the season with the Tigers after being recalled from Toledo on May 30 -- second among American League pitchers with a 2.46 ERA during that stretch, while he was fourth with 158 strikeouts ... Fanned a career-high 14 batters on May 30 to earn the win over Oakland as he held the club scoreless in 5.2 innings of work -- according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first pitcher in major league history with as many as 14 strikeouts in a game while pitching fewer than six innings ... Established a career high with a four-game winning streak June 15-July 7 -- compiled a 1.60 ERA (33.2IP/6ER) and 38 strikeouts during the five-start stretch ... Registered a quality start in seven straight outings July 31-September 1 -- finished 3-1 with a 1.25 ERA (50.1IP/7ER) during the stretch ... Selected the Tigers Pitcher of the Month for July after posting a 3-2 record, 2.31 ERA (39.0IP/10ER) and 36 strikeouts in six starts -- tied for fourth in the American League with 36 strikeouts during the month, while he finished seventh with a 2.31 ERA and tied for seventh with three wins ... Fourth in the American League with a 1.29 ERA (35.0IP/5ER) in five starts during August as he was tabbed the Tigers Pitcher of the Month -- compiled a 3-1 record and 31 strikeouts during the month ... Struck out 11 batters as he earned the win on September 17 at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field against the White Sox ... Limited lefthanded batters to a .239 batting average (90x376)...righties hit .250 (84x336) against him ... Compiled an 8-4 record and 2.99 ERA (96.1IP/32ER) in 15 starts at home...finished 4-7 with a 3.99 ERA (99.1IP/44ER) in 16 starts on the road ... Posted a 6-6 record and 4.61 ERA (93.2IP/48ER) in 16 outings prior the all-star break...finished 6-5 with a 2.47 ERA (102.0IP/28ER) in 15 starts following the all-star break.
2009
Finished eighth in the National League with 9.19 strikeouts per nine innings as he completed his first full season at the major league level with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009...Began the season on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain -- assigned to Single A Visalia for one start as part of an injury rehabilitation assignment on April 9 before he was reinstated from the disabled list by Arizona on April 14...Earned his first major league win on May 16 at Atlanta, tossing six shutout innings...Fanned a season-high 10 batters in back-to-back starts May 21 at Florida and May 26 versus San Diego...Tied for eighth in the National League with 37 strikeouts during May...Compiled a three-game winning streak June 11-23, posting a 1.83 ERA (19.2IP/4ER)...Finished 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA (29.0IP/7ER) in five starts during June -- sixth in the National League with a 2.17 ERA during the month...Tied for fourth in the National League with 39 strikeouts during August...Limited righthanded batters to a .239 batting average (73x306)...lefties hit .265 (93x351) against him...Finished 5-6 with a 3.64 ERA (96.1IP/39ER) in 17 starts prior to the all-star break...posted a 4-5 record and 4.74 ERA (74.0IP/39ER) in 13 starts following the all-star break.
2008
Went winless with an 0-4 record despite compiling a 3.05 ERA in 16 games, including seven starts, during his rookie Major League campaign...honored by the Arizona chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America as the D-backs' Rookie of the Year...Went 0-4 with a 3.41 ERA (14 ER in 37.0 IP) with 14 walks and 48 strikeouts in his seven starts...Arizona's offense produced just 2.43 runs in his starts (10 runs over 37.0 IP), the lowest among D-backs starters...had a 2.37 ERA (5 ER in 19.0 IP) and held opposing batters to a .172 average (11-for-64) with 18 strikeouts and 7 walks in 9 relief appearances...Opened the season with Tucson (AAA) and did not allow an earned run in his first 3 starts for the Sidewinders...posted a 1.17 ERA (3 ER in 23.0 IP) with 38 strikeouts and only 3 walks in his first 4 starts...Recalled on April 27 and made his Major League debut on April 29 vs. Houston, striking out 7 in 4.1 innings of hitless relief to set a D-backs' record for most strikeouts by a pitcher in his debut...it was the longest debut outing in modern Major League history (dating back to 1900) by a pitcher who retired every batter he faced...his 7 strikeouts fell 1 short of the modern record by a relief pitcher making his MLB debut (Barry Jones struck out 8 on April 20, 1986 with Pittsburgh at Wrigley Field)...the 7 strikeouts were the most for a pitcher making his big league debut for the D-backs, eclipsing the 6 that Micah Owings fanned on April 6, 2007 in a starting role at Washington...Moved into the starting rotation and suffered the loss vs. Philadelphia on May 5 in his first career start after allowing 5 runs on 8 hits over 4.0 innings...Posted a 3.86 ERA (5 ER in 11.2 IP) in 6 relief appearances from May 23-June 11 before he was optioned back to Tucson on June 13... made an appearance for the Sidewinders before landing on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation from June 20-July 19...Earned his first win for Tucson on Aug. 11 vs. Tacoma...overall, was 1-1 with a 2.72 ERA (16 ER in 53.0 IP) with 22 walks and 79 strikeouts in 13 games (10 starts) for the Sidewinders...held opposing batters to a .182 average (35-for-192)...Recalled on Aug. 29 and threw 3.0 scoreless innings in 2 relief outings before being inserted back into the starting rotation for the remainder of the season...Struck out a career-high 11 batters on Sept. 7 at Los Angeles Dodgers, tying him with the Dodgers' Hiroki Kuroda, Washington's John Lannan and Toronto's David Purcey for the most strikeouts by a rookie in 2008...it also tied him with Brandon Webb for most single game strikeouts by a D-backs rookie in franchise history (Aug. 19, 2003 vs. Cincinnati and Aug. 31, 2003 vs. San Francisco)...With the D-backs, held opposing batters to a .234 average (48-for-205) and opposing right-handed hitters to a .167 mark (19-for-114)...did not allow any of his 5 inherited runners to score...Went 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA (9 ER in 24.0 IP) in 4 games for Phoenix in the Arizona Fall League, walking 5 and striking out 24.
2007
Made his professional debut on June 7 with Visalia (A), allowing a run off 2 hits with 8 strikeouts over 5.0 innings in the start against Bakersfield...Won back-to-back starts on June 12 & 17, combining for 12.0 shutout innings with 22 strikeouts...Struck out a season-high 13 on June 12 in the win at San Jose, tossing 7.0 hitless innings...Promoted to Mobile (AA) on June 22 and made his debut for the BayBears that evening, allowing 3 earned runs off 5 hits over 5.0 innings in the loss to Montgomery...In August, he was 1-1 with a 3.26 ERA (11 ER in 30.1 IP) while striking out 34...Hit .357 (5-for-14) with 2 doubles and a RBI for Mobile...Struck out 10.5 batters per 9-innings between Visalia and Mobile (106 K in 90.2 IP)...Started 3 games for Fort Worth in the Independent League from May 12-23 before signing with the D-backs on May 30...Appeared in 8 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League, going 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA (3 ER in 12.2 IP) with 18 strikeouts.
