The Los Angeles Dodgers made a splash at the 2021 MLB trade deadline by completing a blockbuster with the Washington Nationals to acquire Trea Turner and Max Scherzer, the latter of whom went on to make history with the team.
On Sept. 12, 2021, Scherzer became the 19th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts. He achieved the milestone against the San Diego Padres in his eighth start for the Dodgers.
Scherzer went into the outing needing just six strikeouts to join the illustrious group of pitchers. The right-hander reached the milestone by striking out Eric Hosmer in the fifth inning.
In terms of innings pitched, Scherzer trailed only Randy Johnson for the fastest to 3,000 strikeouts. Zack Greinke (2,979 career strikeouts) and Clayton Kershaw (2,968) are the next pitchers who could reach 3,000 strikeouts in their career.
Though, Greinke did not sign with a team for the 2024 season and Kershaw has been limited by injuries.
Scherzer was utterly dominant in his historic start at Dodger Stadium. He had a perfect game before Hosmer got a bit of revenge with a one-out double in the eighth inning.
Scherzer went 7-0 with a sterling 1.98 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across 11 starts for the Dodgers to finish the 2021 season. He famously converted a save opportunity in Game 5 of the National League Division Series, but that wound up being a factor in Scherzer’s right arm becoming fatigued as the Dodgers advanced in the postseason.
He had an unceremonious exit from the Dodgers in free agency that winter, suggesting their handling of his workload was to blame for not being able to effectively pitch during the playoffs. Scherzer later clarified his comments but continued to draw the ire of Dodgers fans.
Max Scherzer wants Clayton Kershaw to get 3,000 strikeouts
At the time of joining the group of pitchers with 3,000 strikeouts in MLB history, Scherzer noted he was looking forward to Kershaw reaching the milestone as well and he hoped to be with the Dodgers when that occurred.
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