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Max Scherzer has piled up plenty of tremendous accomplishments during his 14 seasons in the big leagues. He’s a three-time Cy Young Award winner -- having won the award in each league. He’s an eight-time All-Star. He’s a World Series Champion. He’s a two-time 20-game winner. He has thrown two no-hitters (both during the 2015 season).
On Sunday afternoon, he added to his list of accomplishments -- and almost checked off multiple boxes -- in a dominant victory over the Padres. In the fifth inning on Sunday, Max Scherzer struck out Eric Hosmer swinging -- recording the 3,000th strikeout in his illustrious career. He became just the 19th pitcher in MLB history to reach the tremendous milestone -- joining Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Walter Johnson, Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling, Steve Carlton, Bert Blyleven, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, John Smoltz, Justin Verlander, Fergie Jenkins, Don Sutton, Gaylord Perry, CC Sabathia, Phil Niekro and Greg Maddux. That’s some pretty impressive company.
According to Elias Sports and Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Scherzer reached the monumental total in his 404th career game, making him the second fastest to do so behind only Randy Johnson who did so in 362 games.
On the way to achieving that milestone on Sunday, Scherzer accomplished something else that’s pretty impressive as he recorded an immaculate inning in the second -- striking out all three hitters that he faced on a total of nine pitches. It’s the third time in his career that the right-hander has fired an immaculate inning. The only other pitchers in MLB history to have three immaculate innings in their careers are Sandy Koufax and Chris Sale.[[ad:athena]]
If that wasn’t enough, Scherzer made a serious bid at checking another box off on his Hall of Fame resume on Sunday as he carried a bid for a perfect game into the eighth inning. However, after retiring the first 22 hitters that he faced, he gave up a one-out double to Eric Hosmer to spoil his chance at history. That would be the only baserunner that he allowed in eight shutout innings, piling up nine strikeouts in the process.
Even at the age of 37, Scherzer has been as good as ever this season, registering a dominant 2.28 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 219/33 K/BB ratio across 162 innings. He’s 6-0 with a minuscule 0.88 ERA through his first eight starts with the Dodgers. He’ll look to strengthen his Cy Young Award candidacy when he takes on the Reds in Cincinnati on Saturday.
Starting Pitchers with an EDGE
Lance Lynn - 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 9 K, 36% CSW, 13 swinging strikes
Lynn didn’t miss a beat in his first start back from the injured list, piling up nine strikeouts over five shutout innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox. He generated 13 swings and misses in the ballgame -- eight on his fastball and five on his cutter -- while posting an elite 36 percent CSW. He has been phenomenal for the White Sox this season, compiling a 2.50 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 161/42 K/BB ratio over 140 2/3 innings in his 25 starts.
Eric Lauer - 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K, 30% CSW, 14 swinging strikes
After being staked to an early 7-0 lead, Lauer cruised to an easy victory over the Indians on Sunday afternoon, piling up a season-high eight strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings of one-run baseball. He has been a force in the Brewers rotation since late June, compiling a 1.84 ERA and 58/20 K/BB ratio over 63 2/3 innings over his last 12 appearances.
Lance McCullers - 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K, 33% CSW, 11 swinging strikes
McCullers picked up his 12th victory of the season with another impressive outing against the Angels on Sunday afternoon. The only blemish on his day was a solo shot off the bat of Juan Lagares in the fifth inning. Now 12-4 on the season, McCullers boasts a 3.12 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 168/69 K/BB ratio over 144 1/3 innings through his first 25 starts.
Hitters with an EDGE
Lourdes Gurriel - 2-for-3, 2 HR (19), 7 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB
Wow, talk about an impressive line. The Blue Jays demolished the Orioles on Sunday -- putting up a total of 22 runs on 19 hits -- with Gurriel leading the charge. He smashed a grand slam off of Zac Lowther in the opening inning to increase the Jays early lead to 5-0 and they were off and running. He added a two-run blast off of Michael Baumann in the fifth inning and then drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth to plate his seventh run of the afternoon. On the season, the 27-year-old is hitting .283/.328/.474 with 19 homers, 78 RBI and one stolen base.
Francisco Lindor - 3-for-4, 3 HR (17), 5 RBI, 3 R, BB
Lindor got his mammoth night started with a go-ahead three-run blast off of Clarke Schmidt in the second inning. He then clubbed the first pitch that he saw from Wandy Peralta for a solo shot in the sixth inning, increasing the Mets lead to 6-4. Finally, he delivered the dagger with a 382-foot shot off of Chad Green in the eighth inning to put the Mets on top 7-6. Lindor finished the night 3-for-4 plus a walk and is now slashing .227/.322/.407 with 17 homers, 52 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 107 games.
Jeimer Candelario - 2-for-5, 2 HR (14), 3 RBI, 2 R
Candelario continued his recent power surge with two long balls in Sunday’s extra-inning victory over the Rays -- including a game-tying two-run shot off of Andrew Kittredge in the home half of the 10th inning. The major league leader with 40 doubles on the season, Candelario hit just seven home runs in his first 104 games on the year. He has now hit seven in his last 30 games - including four in his last 10. On the season, he’s now hitting .275/.350/.449 with 14 homers and 61 RBI.
Garrett Hampson - 3-for-4, 2 HR (11), 5 RBI, 2 R
Hampson provided all of the Rockies offense in a 5-4 victory over the Phillies on Sunday -- slugging a three-run homer off of Aaron Nola in the fifth inning and adding on a go-ahead two-run blast off of Hector Neris in the seventh. It has been a rough season on the whole for the 26-year-old, slashing .243/.295/.397 with his 11 long balls, 32 RBI and 16 stolen bases.
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EDGE Priority Pickup
Antonio Senzatela, SP, Colorado Rockies -- Available in 80% of Yahoo fantasy leagues
Alright, I know that it seems crazy at a glance, but bear with me for a second here. Senzatela has logged quality starts in each of his last six outings -- posting a 2.54 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 22/7 K/BB ratio over 39 innings during that stretch. Two of those starts even came at Coors field, including a victory over the Braves on September 3. He’ll do battle against the Braves on Wednesday in Atlanta and actually looks to be an attractive streaming option for those chasing in wins.
Closing Time
Carlos Estevez vs. Phillies - 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K (7th save)
Estevez continues to try to build his job security in the closer’s role for the Rockies, working a scoreless ninth inning against the Phillies to preserve a one-run lead on Sunday afternoon. The overall ratios aren’t impressive -- a 4.58 ERA and 1.43 WHIP -- but Estevez has recorded four saves in five chances in the month of September and looks like he’ll keep the job for the remainder of the season.
Giovanny Gallegos vs. Cardinals - 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K (8th save)
Gallegos has seized his opportunity and has run with it now, recording four saves in the Cardinals last five games -- completely taking over the ninth-inning gig from the struggling Alex Reyes. On the season, Gallegos boasts a 3.28 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 84/16 K/BB ratio across 71 1/3 innings in his 64 appearances.
Joe Barlow vs. Athletics - 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K (6th save)
Speaking of securing themselves in the ninth inning role, Joe Barlow has certainly done that this week -- racking up three saves in the Rangers last four games. The right-hander has been outstanding this season, registering a 1.59 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 21/10 K/BB ratio over 22 2/3 innings with the Rangers this season, He should be rostered in all mixed leagues at this point.
Monday’s Matchup of the Day
Rich Hill (NYM) vs. Adam Wainwright (STL)
There are plenty of intriguing matchups on tap for Monday, including Clayton Kershaw’s return to the Dodgers rotation, but the primary focus of my attention will be on the battle of two hurlers over the age of 40 in New York.
Adam Wainwright has turned back the clock in a major way this season, positioning himself to receive votes for the National League Cy Young Award. The 40-year-old right-hander boasts a tremendous 2.98 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 163/43 K/BB ratio over 184 1/3 innings on the season. He has been even better as of late, with a 2.17 ERA over 78 2/3 innings in 11 starts since the All-Star break.
On the flip side, 41-year-old southpaw Rich Hill is still in search of his first victory since joining the Mets. He hasn’t pitched badly over nine outings though, compiling a 3.71 ERA, 1,17 WHIP and 36/9 K/BB ratio across 43 2/3 innings.
Vegas seems to see this one as a toss-up, with the Mets installed as minor -105 favorites.
American League Quick Hits: Gerrit Cole (hamstring) threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday and is on track to rejoin the Yankees rotation on Tuesday. … Luis Gil will start for the Yankees on Monday against the Twins. … Shane Bieber (shoulder) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday. … Aaron Judge was removed from Sunday’s game due to dizziness. He’s considered day-to-day. … Chris Archer was placed on the 10-day IL on Sunday after exiting Saturday’s start with hip discomfort. … Nick Anderson (elbow) made his long-awaited return from the 60-day IL to join the Rays bullpen on Sunday. … The Royals placed Michael Taylor on the family medical emergency list. … Jo Adell was scratched from the Angels lineup due to back soreness. … Dietrich Enns will start against the Tigers on Thursday. … Aaron Civale was lit up for seven runs on seven hits over three innings in a loss to the Brewers. … Teoscar Hernandez blasted a grand slam and drove in five runs as the Blue Jays obliterated the Orioles. … Vladimir Guerrero Jr. crushed his 44th home run in that one, tying him with Shohei Ohtani for the major league lead. … Yuli Gurriel went 4-for-4 as the Astros defeated the Angels. … Andrew Benintendi collected his 14th RBI of the week as the Royals topped the Twins. … Yusei Kikuchi struck out eight over five innings of one-run ball in a no-decision against the Diamondbacks. … Jarred Kelenic homered for the second straight game as the M’s fell to the Diamondbacks. … Giancarlo Stanton homered and drove in three runs as the Yankees fell to the Mets.
National League Quick Hits: Blake Snell was pulled from Sunday’s start against the Dodgers in the first inning due to left adductor tightness. … Jacob deGrom (elbow) is scheduled to throw off of a mound “maybe this week” according to manager Luis Rojas. … The Brewers placed Rowdy Tellez on the 10-day IL with a right patella strain. … Kris Bryant (wrist) returned to the Giants lineup on Sunday. … Brandon Crawford (wrist) was held out of the Giants lineup on Sunday. He’s considered day-to-day. … Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was placed on the paternity leave list. … Aaron Ashby earned his first career save on Sunday, firing three scoreless innings while striking out five against the Indians. … Avisail Garcia homered twice and drove in three runs as the Brewers demolished the Indians. … Kolten Wong smacked a pair of solo homers in that victory as well… Patrick Corbin struck out four over seven innings of two-run ball in a win against the Pirates. … Juan Soto reached base four times and scored a run as the Nats topped the Pirates. … Aaron Nola struck out 10 in a no-decision against the Rockies… Bryce Harper smacked his 32nd homer in a loss to the Rockies. … J.A. Happ fired 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a victory over the Reds. … Ozzie Albies went 2-for-4 and launched a go-ahead homer to lead the Braves past the Marlins. … Jesus Sanchez swatted his 10th homer as the Marlins fell to the Braves. … Freddie Freeman clubbed his 30th long ball in a victory over the Marlins. … Nolan Arenado blasted his 31st home run, powering the Cardinals past the Reds. … Wilmer Flores went 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBI as the Giants defeated the Cubs. … Ian Happ smacked his 22nd homer as the Cubs fell to the Giants. … Mookie Betts homered for the second straight game as the Dodgers demolished the Padres.
