Max Scherzer

Active

Toronto Blue Jays · SP

Age 426' 3" · 208 lbsThrows Right

#748 Current

FBaseball Overview

At 41 years old, Scherzer remains a high-risk, low-reward option for fantasy managers despite his Hall of Fame pedigree and three Cy Young Awards. The 2026 season has started poorly with an inflated 10.23 ERA and 1.73 WHIP through 22 innings, continuing a troubling decline from 2025's already-elevated 5.19 ERA, signaling that age-related regression is now a serious concern. While his strikeout stuff hasn't completely abandoned him—he struck out 82 batters last season—the dramatic spike in ERA and WHIP suggests diminished command and reduced effectiveness against major league hitters. Fantasy managers should approach Scherzer with caution and consider him only as a deep bench option or streaming pick in the event of sudden improvement, as his win-loss record and overall pitching metrics no longer offer reliable value in seasonal leagues.

News Updates

Max Scherzer records 10th K, passes Perry on all-time list
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer achieved a historic milestone Sunday, striking out 10 batters against Seattle and becoming the ninth all-time in strikeouts with 3,535. The veteran right-hander surpassed Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in the Blue Jays' 7-0 shutout victory.
Aug 31, 2026
Max Scherzer passes Walter Johnson on strikeout list
Max Scherzer recorded his 3,516th career strikeout, passing Walter Johnson for sole possession of 10th place on baseball's all-time strikeout list. The Phillies ace struck out Kyle Schwarber in the sixth inning to reach this historic milestone. Scherzer continues to be a dominant presence late in his career despite his advanced age.
Aug 9, 2026
Max Scherzer returns from IL on his birthday
Max Scherzer made his second return from an IL stint this season on his 42nd birthday against the Washington Nationals. Though laboring through 2 2/3 innings on 75 pitches, Scherzer allowed only one run and expressed optimism about his future availability.
Jul 28, 2026

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2008	Arizona Diamondbacks	16	7	0	4	3.05	1.23	66	56.0	21
2009	Arizona Diamondbacks	30	30	9	11	4.12	1.34	174	170.1	63
2010	Detroit Tigers	31	31	12	11	3.50	1.25	184	195.2	70
2011	Detroit Tigers	33	33	15	9	4.43	1.35	174	195.0	56
2012	Detroit Tigers	32	32	16	7	3.74	1.27	231	187.2	60
2013	Detroit Tigers	32	32	21	3	2.90	0.97	240	214.1	56
2014	Detroit Tigers	33	33	18	5	3.15	1.18	252	220.1	63
2015	Washington Nationals	33	33	14	12	2.79	0.92	276	228.2	34
2016	Washington Nationals	34	34	20	7	2.96	0.97	284	228.1	56
2017	Washington Nationals	31	31	16	6	2.51	0.90	268	200.2	55
2018	Washington Nationals	33	33	18	7	2.53	0.91	300	220.2	51
2019	Washington Nationals	27	27	11	7	2.92	1.03	243	172.1	33
2020	Washington Nationals	12	12	5	4	3.74	1.38	92	67.1	23
2021	2 teams▼	30	30	15	4	2.46	0.86	236	179.1	36
2022	New York Mets	23	23	11	5	2.29	0.91	173	145.1	24
2023	2 teams▼	27	27	13	6	3.77	1.12	174	152.2	45
2024	Texas Rangers	9	9	2	4	3.95	1.15	40	43.1	10
2025	Toronto Blue Jays	17	17	5	5	5.19	1.29	82	85.0	23
2026	Toronto Blue Jays	18	18	4	9	5.74	1.33	68	84.2	35
Career	Totals	501	492	225	126	3.29	1.09	3557	3047.2	814

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2007	2 teams▼	17	17	6	4	3.28	1.22	106	90.2	42
2008	Tucson Sidewinders	13	10	1	1	2.72	1.08	79	53.0	22
2009	Visalia Rawhide	1	1	0	0	1.93	1.07	5	4.2	4
2010	Toledo Mud Hens	2	2	2	0	0.60	0.40	17	15.0	2
2022	2 teams▼	3	3	0	0	3.86	1.11	21	11.2	3
2024	Round Rock Express	4	4	0	1	3.60	0.93	25	15.0	4
2025	Buffalo Bisons	2	2	0	0	2.08	0.81	12	8.2	2
2026	2 teams▼	5	5	1	2	4.34	1.02	24	18.2	5
Career	Totals	47	44	10	8	3.02	1.07	289	217.1	84

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Last Week / Last Month

Current season · MLB only

7 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
7	7	39.2	3-3	0	3.86	1.13	36	15

30 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
18	18	84.2	4-9	0	5.74	1.33	68	35

Game Log2026 MLB

Loading game log…

Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo92.9 mph

Avg Spin2266 rpm

Whiff %21.3%

K %18.7%

BB %9.6%

Hard Hit %33.6%

Barrel %8.1%

xERA4.24

xBA Against0.240

xSLG Against0.399

BA Against0.240

SLG Against0.415

GB%30.9%

FB%32.4%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2008

Arizona Diamondbacks

3.05

1.23

56.0

2009

Arizona Diamondbacks

4.12

1.34

174

170.1

2010

Detroit Tigers

3.50

1.25

184

195.2

2011

Detroit Tigers

4.43

1.35

174

195.0

2012

Detroit Tigers

3.74

1.27

231

187.2

2013

Detroit Tigers

2.90

0.97

240

214.1

2014

Detroit Tigers

3.15

1.18

252

220.1

2015

Washington Nationals

2.79

0.92

276

228.2

2016

Washington Nationals

2.96

0.97

284

228.1

2017

Washington Nationals

2.51

0.90

268

200.2

2018

Washington Nationals

2.53

0.91

300

220.2

2019

Washington Nationals

2.92

1.03

243

172.1

2020

Washington Nationals

3.74

1.38

67.1

2021

2 teams▼

2.46

0.86

236

179.1

2022

New York Mets

2.29

0.91

173

145.1

2023

2 teams▼

3.77

1.12

174

152.2

2024

Texas Rangers

3.95

1.15

43.1

2025

Toronto Blue Jays

5.19

1.29

85.0

2026

Toronto Blue Jays

5.74

1.33

84.2

Career

Totals

501

492

225

126

3.29

1.09

3557

3047.2

814

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2007

2 teams▼

3.28

1.22

106

90.2

2008

Tucson Sidewinders

2.72

1.08

53.0

2009

Visalia Rawhide

1.93

1.07

4.2

2010

Toledo Mud Hens

0.60

0.40

15.0

2022

2 teams▼

3.86

1.11

11.2

2024

Round Rock Express

3.60

0.93

15.0

2025

Buffalo Bisons

2.08

0.81

8.2

2026

2 teams▼

4.34

1.02

18.2

Career

Totals

3.02

1.07

289

217.1

W-L

ERA

WHIP

39.2

3-3

3.86

1.13

W-L

ERA

WHIP

84.2

4-9

5.74

1.33