Blue Jays' Max Scherzer reaches historic MLB milestone vs. Phillies

Max Scherzer passes Walter Johnson on MLB strikeout list

Scherzer finished with four strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. The 41-year-old allowed two runs on five hits without issuing a walk and departed with Toronto and Philadelphia tied at 2-2.

Elias Sports Bureau, MLB’s official statistician, credits Johnson with 3,515 career strikeouts. Scherzer now trails only nine pitchers in major league history.

Nolan Ryan leads the all-time list with 5,714 strikeouts, followed by Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Steve Carlton, Bert Blyleven, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Justin Verlander, and Gaylord Perry.

Scherzer previously became the 11th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,500 career strikeouts earlier this season. Coincidentally, he also achieved that milestone by striking out Schwarber during a June meeting with Philadelphia.

The veteran has built his career across stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Blue Jays. He also won World Series championships with the Nationals in 2019 and the Rangers in 2023.

Now alone in 10th place, Scherzer continues climbing one of baseball’s most exclusive leaderboards.