Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw are scheduled to play tonight, 6,179 days after their first encounter!
- First meeting: September 7, 2008, when both were rookies—Scherzer with the Diamondbacks and Kershaw with the Dodgers. Neither earned a decision, but Scherzer struck out 11 batters, while Kershaw had a rougher outing.
- Latest meeting: August 9, 2025—exactly 6,179 days later. They squared off again at Dodger Stadium: Kershaw (Dodgers) versus Scherzer (Blue Jays).
The Showdown Recap: August 9, 2025
- Final score: Dodgers won 5–1 over the Blue Jays behind Kershaw’s strong outing.
- Kershaw’s line: 6 innings, 1 run allowed, 7 hits, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk.
- Scherzer’s line: 6 innings, 2 runs allowed, 6 hits, 5 strikeouts, 3 walks.
- Game-changer: Mookie Betts crushed a two‑run homer in the fifth, turning the score in favor of L.A.
Legacy of Legends
This matchup wasn’t just a game—it was a living piece of baseball history:
- Unique path: It’s the only documented instance where two pitchers who faced each other as rookies in 2008 both went on to surpass 3,000 career strikeouts, and meet again 17 years later.
- Rarity of the moment: According to Elias Sports Bureau, since the 1980s, only four matchups have featured two pitchers already having reached 3,000 strikeouts—this being one of them.
- Storied careers:
- Kershaw (now 37): 3 Cy Youngs, 1 MVP, career ERA of 2.52 (best among active), 20 career WAR, 3,010 strikeouts.
- Scherzer (now 41): 3 Cy Youngs, 2 no-hitters, one of the fastest to 2,000 strikeouts, 3,451 Ks, 3 World Series rings.
Final Thoughts
This game on August 9, 2025, didn’t just mark another stat in the books—it was a full-circle moment. From rookies unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight in 2008, to venerable veterans facing off one more time, it’s a testament to their durability, greatness, and the rare kind of legacy that only a few athletes ever build.
Let me know if you want a breakdown of their career stats side-by-side, or highlights from each of their head-to-head matchups down the years
