Prime-Time Pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer exhibit stellar performances in what might be their last head-to-head encounter
Historic Matchup: Kershaw and Scherzer Square Off Again
In a riveting encounter on Friday, Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer faced each other once again, with Kershaw's Los Angeles Dodgers emerging victorious against Scherzer's Toronto Blue Jays, 5-1.
This was their fourth regular-season meeting, a series that dates back to their rookie years in 2008. Their first encounter, filled in for legendary pitchers Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson, took place on September 7, 2008.
Since then, they have met twice more - on April 20, 2018, and April 11, 2021. Both pitchers have surpassed 3,000 strikeouts in their careers, making their matchups one of only four times in MLB history a pair of 3,000-K pitchers squared off.
In this latest encounter, Kershaw pitched a stellar 6 scoreless innings, while Scherzer allowed just one run in 6 innings. Kershaw secured the win, continuing his slight edge over Scherzer in their direct duels, with a 2.65 ERA over Scherzer's similar number of innings pitched.
The Dodgers, who led the majors in runs scored and were second in OPS, capitalized on their opportunities, scoring four runs in the fifth inning. The Blue Jays, who were fifth and third in these categories respectively, struggled to keep pace.
Both pitchers, considered inner-circle Hall of Famers with significant name recognition, have had quality starts in their respective games. Scherzer, now 41 years old with over 2,900 regular-season innings and 143 playoff innings, allowed two singles to start the bottom of the first inning but escaped unscathed. Kershaw, 37 years old with over 2,800 regular-season innings and almost 200 playoff innings, had a 1-2-3 first inning against the Blue Jays.
This was a rare late-career rematch nearly 17 years after their first meeting. Given their veteran status and team affiliations, this might have been their final head-to-head encounter. However, their storied careers have been marked by significant historical moments, and it would not be surprising to see them face each other again in the future.
In addition to Kershaw's strong performance, Dodgers catcher Will Smith continued his impressive form, further cementing his place as one of MLB's most underrated stars.
- Fans around the sports world eagerly anticipated the latest game between Kershaw and Scherzer, two dominant pitchers with over 3,000 strikeouts each.
- Despite Scherzer's 6 scoreless innings, Kershaw's Los Angeles Dodgers won against Scherzer's Toronto Blue Jays, 5-1, with Kershaw securing the win and maintaining his edge over Scherzer in their direct duels.
- The game saw the fourth regular-season meeting between these two pitching greats, a series that started back in their rookie years in 2008.
- As veteran players, this might have been the final head-to-head encounter for Kershaw and Scherzer, but their storied careers have been marked by numerous historical moments, making it possible for them to face each other again in the future.
- The Blue Jays struggled to keep pace with the Dodgers, who capitalized on their opportunities, scoring four runs in the fifth inning, having led the majors in runs scored and being second in OPS.
- In this game, Dodgers catcher Will Smith's impressive form further solidified his status as one of MLB's most underrated stars.
