When Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer first became teammates 13 years ago in Detroit, neither had won a Cy Young. Now they've both won three. Neither had won a World Series. Now they've combined for three. And as they reunite this season on the Mets, Verlander and Scherzer are in a back-and-forth battle for the most strikeouts of their generation, an arms race that began in earnest with the Tigers.
Entering 2023, Verlander is 12th all time with 3,198 strikeouts. Scherzer is 13th with 3,193. After Scherzer briefly pulled ahead in 2021 when Verlander was sidelined by an elbow injury, Verlander regained the lead in 2022 in maybe the most dominant season of his career. There isn't an active pitcher within 300 strikeouts of either of them. The closest is Zack Greinke, who ranks 20th all time.
Scherzer led the majors in strikeouts from 2012-14, his final three seasons with the Tigers. The only pitcher who had more than him in 2012 alone was Verlander, who led the majors in strikeouts from 2009-13. The two of them, who will return to Comerica Park for a three-game series with the Tigers in May, have combined to lead the league in strikeouts eight times, Verlander having done so four times with Detroit.
It wouldn't be a shock if they added to that total in the next couple seasons. They are the highest-paid players in baseball, tied at $43.3 million per year, both signed through 2024. Verlander turns 40 this month, Scherzer turns 39 this season. Verlander, health willing, has said he'd like to pitch until 45.
Every pitcher ahead of them in strikeouts is a Hall of Famer, save steroid-stained Roger Clemens. Both figure to crack the top 10 this year and could ultimately crack the top five depending how much longer they stick around: they're about 500 shy of current No. 5 Bert Blyleven. And while the 4,000 club, comprised of Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Clemens and Steve Carlton, looks out of reach, doubt these two machines at your own risk.
Now, who's getting the ball on Opening Day?
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