Max Scherzer has developed into the best pitcher in Major League Baseball. As the Washington Nationals try to chase the Atlanta Braves for the NL East lead, the two-time defending National League Cy Young is chasing down the record books.
Scherzer added another historical feat, recording his 100 strikeouts this season in just 63 innings. That is the fastest any pitcher has recorded 100 strikeouts in a season. Scherzer passes Kerry Wood (65.2 innings).
Max Scherzer picked up his 100th strikeout of the season tonight and he only need 63 innings to get it.
Via @EliasSports that is the fewest IP by a starter to reach 100 K in a single season since 1900 (modern era) pic.twitter.com/wSUyO8xjDg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 20, 2018
Scherzer finished Saturday night’s outing, a 5-4 loss for the Nationals to the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching seven innings and striking out 13 while allowing two runs. He now has 104 strikeouts on the season with a 1.78 ERA and 1.83 FIP in 65 2/3 innings.
Scherzer is on pace to have yet another strong campaign that could end in his third straight NL Cy Young and fourth overall of his career — he won an American League Cy Young in 2013 while with the Detroit Tigers.
