Max Scherzer strikes out 10 in best start of 2026

Scherzer got some help from umpire John Bacon as the outing got into the sixth and it looked like he was about to be lifted — and Reds hitters bypassed some pretty obvious challenges — but Scherzer just kept going, only finally getting taken out after a walk to start the eighth. Working on three days’ rest, he threw 114 pitches, his high total since 2020. The walk that ended his outing was his only one to go along with five singles and one double allowed on the day. Scherzer concludes the year 4-9 with a 5.74 ERA. If he wants to come back for another year at age 42, there will certainly be teams willing to have him. If not, he finishes 225-126 with a 3.29 ERA in 3,047 2/3 innings. He’s ninth all-time with 3,557 strikeouts.

Scherzer told the media that he will make a decision regarding his future in the offseason before adding that he wanted to pitch in front of his family in the Rogers Centre one final time in case he decides to hang up his spikes after 19 seasons in the big leagues. The 42-year-old Future Hall of Fame starter finds himself just a handful of strikeouts behind former Tigers teammate Justin Verlander on the all-time strikeout list heading into what could potentially be the final outing of his remarkable career.

Scherzer said after the game, which saw the Jays eliminated from contention, that he’d like to pitch again Sunday on three days’ rest and that he’d likely say something about his future in the next couple of days. One can probably read between the lines there. The loss leaves Scherzer 3-9 with a 6.14 ERA. He struck out seven today, putting him at 3,550 for his career. Justin Verlander is eighth all time with 3,554 ahead of his short start Saturday. There’s little doubt that Scherzer would prefer to finish ahead of him.

Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt were set to face off tonight. They’ll instead pitch Wednesday now. Trey Gibson was expected to be called up to start for the Orioles on Wednesday, though that hadn’t yet been officially announced.

Scherzer struck out three and walked three, and the Jays went on to win 5-1. The victory was the 224th of his legendary career. While he has been blasted for seven or more runs a couple of times since August 1, he has allowed three runs or fewer in every other start. Toronto avoided being swept by Detroit with the performance and now trails the White Sox by 1.5 games for the final AL Wild Card spot. Scherzer is lined up to face the Orioles in Baltimore next time out.

This start from Scherzer got out of hand quickly. Dylan Beavers greeted him rudely with a lead-off home run before six straight hits – five of which were singles, nearly all were hit hard – to start the second inning turned into five more runs. Funny enough, he cruised after that, retiring 12 of the final 13 batters he faced, but the damage was already done. He’s scheduled to face the Tigers at home next time out which could be one of the final starts of his storied career.

Scherzer gave up five hits, walked one and struck out two. He was coming off his best start of 2026 and maybe the last few years when he struck out 10 and shut the Mariners out for seven innings. Scherzer has completed at least five innings in six of his last seven starts after failing to complete four innings in five of his first seven starts this year. He has a 6.03 ERA on the season, but a 3.79 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 38 innings over seven starts since the beginning of August. Scherzer is lined up to face the Orioles at home next week.

Scherzer gave up four hits, walked five and struck out four. He fell to 1-7 with the loss. Scherzer rebounded after allowing seven runs in his last start, but it still wasn’t enough to avoid losing his third consecutive start. He has a 7.02 ERA. Scherzer’s lined up to face the Mariners at home on Sunday.

The future Hall of Fame starter had pitched better lately, but he surrendered a two-run homer to Yandy Díaz in the bottom of the first and dealt with some poor defense later on. He’s been on the injured list twice this season but continues to take the mound for Toronto when he’s healthy enough to do so. He’ll face the Royals at home next time out.

Scherzer allowed three hits, walked two and struck out four. It’s the third straight outing in which he’s pitched well enough to win, but he dropped to 1-6, with his only victory coming way back on March 31. He’ll likely make his next start Wednesday against the Rays.