Final Starts Scheduled for Weekend
Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are scheduled to take the mound this weekend, pitching in locations less than a four-hour drive apart. The upcoming appearances mark what is described as the last start of Scherzer's career.
The timing has drawn attention to their positions on the all-time strikeout list. Sources note that Scherzer could potentially catch and pass Verlander for eighth place on the list if he were to pitch on three days' rest during this series. However, both pitchers have pushed back against the narrative that they are attempting to one-up each other regarding the milestone.
The two right-handed pitchers have been teammates and rivals throughout their careers, though their personal dynamic has remained distant. Their professional paths have converged and diverged multiple times, but they have never been particularly close off the field, sharing a connection primarily through their statistical achievements.
Historical Context in Detroit
The relationship between Scherzer and Verlander was most prominent during their time together with the Detroit Tigers. Dave Dombrowski, who managed both pitchers, described their dynamic to Newsday's Tim Healey as strained but characterized by fierce competition rather than animosity.
"They butt heads," Dombrowski said, noting that the two were more like competitors trying to outdo one another than adversaries with personal grievances.
Verlander’s Peak and Legacy
Verlander spent 14 seasons in Detroit, where he won 183 games. He was named American League Rookie of the Year after leading the Tigers to a 2006 American League pennant.
In 2011, Verlander became the last American League pitcher to win both the Cy Young Award and the Most Valuable Player award in the same season. That year, he recorded 24 wins and 250 strikeouts.
Statistical Comparisons
The competition between the two pitchers was evident in their regular-season statistics during their overlapping years in Detroit. In 2012, Verlander finished first in the American League in strikeouts with 239, topping Scherzer, who recorded 231.
The following year, Scherzer posted a 21-3 record with a 2.90 earned run average and 240 strikeouts. In contrast, Verlander went 13-12 with a 3.46 ERA and 217 strikeouts during the same season.
Managerial Decisions
The competitive nature of their tenure influenced managerial decisions. In 2013, Tigers manager Jim Leyland gave the ball to Scherzer for Game 1 of the Tigers ALDS Series.
Scherzer’s Current Standing and Personal Moments
While Verlander’s legacy in Detroit is defined by his peak years, Scherzer’s time with the franchise was shorter but impactful. Scherzer has spent two of his 19 years in Toronto and has recorded eight of his 224 career wins as a Blue Jay.
Despite the professional rivalry and statistical comparisons, personal moments have highlighted the human side of their careers. In a recent appearance in Detroit, Verlander’s seven-year-old daughter, Genevieve, threw out the first pitch on Friday night with Justin catching; she threw a perfect strike.
The Strikeout Narrative
The discussion surrounding their final starts often circles back to the all-time strikeout list. Scherzer is motivated by the possibility of catching and passing Verlander for eighth place, a feat that would require him to pitch on three days' rest.
However, both pitchers have pushed back on the narrative that they are trying to one-up each other on the all-time strikeout list. Their focus remains on their final appearances rather than the historical rankings they leave behind.