Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer represent two of the best pitchers in MLB history, and they get to make history together on Friday night.
When the Dodgers host the Blue Jays this weekend, Kershaw and Scherzer will match up in the first game of the series, and for the first time since Kershaw recorded his 3,000th strikeout earlier this year. The former teammates will always be compared to each other due to their playing careers overlapping, and this adds another layer to their history.
With Los Angeles and Toronto both in first place, this battle between future Hall of Famers is important for this season, but the pitching matchup certainly adds more intrigue. Here’s a breakdown of what Kershaw vs. Scherzer means.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
How Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer making MLB history
On Friday night when the Dodgers play the Blue Jays, Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer will face off for the first time as members of the 3,000 strikeout club. Kershaw recorded his 3,000th strikeout in a game last month, following Scherzer, who recorded his 3,000th strikeout while with the Dodgers in 2021.
This was much more frequent in the 1980s, but only happened three other times since:
- July 19, 2006: Greg Maddux vs. Roger Clemens
- September 16, 2007: Curt Schilling vs. Roger Clemens
- September 6, 2023: Max Scherzer vs. Justin Verlander
In fact, when Kershaw and Scherzer first pitched against each other, they prevented Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux from adding another to this list.Â
MORE:Â Will MLB have another 3,000 Ks club member after Clayton Kershaw?
When did Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer first pitch against each other?
On September 7, 2008, when both Kershaw and Scherzer were rookies, the two faced off in a matchup between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. Incredibly, they were both replacing future Hall of Famers, as Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson were both scheduled to start that game. Johnson, 44, was scratched due to injury, while Maddux, 42, was pushed back to start in the following game against the Padres.
Both Kershaw and Scherzer were highly-regarded pitching prospects, as Kershaw was just 20 years old at the time. Additionally, Kershaw had made just 17 previous appearances in his career, while Scherzer had 13 major league appearances, and both players pitched in a series between these two teams just a week prior.
Imagine going to the ballpark to see a game between Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson, but get disappointed they get scratched for a young Max Scherzer and a young Clayton Kershaw. pic.twitter.com/gSvAt35sP8
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) November 12, 2024
“Kersh just threw six scoreless against them,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre said then about Kershaw replacing Maddux. “With [Adam] Dunn part of the mix and their other left-handers, it’ll be better. And we’re able to keep [Derek] Lowe on the fifth day. It’s matchups where we’re better off, with left-handers Dunn and [Stephen] Drew over there. I don’t think Kersh cares, that kid. Nobody in the clubhouse is worried about it.”
Neither pitcher went deep into the game, as Kershaw allowed three runs over four innings while Scherzer surrendered three runs in five innings. Los Angeles won the game 5-3 while neither starter got a decision.
After they face each other in 2025, Kershaw and Scherzer will have matched up five times, with the other three coming in games between the Dodgers and Nationals, including one playoff matchup in 2016. It also marks the 12th time two starters face each other 17 years apart from their first matchup.
Max Scherzer vs Clayton Kershaw will be the 12th SP matchup to face each other at least 17 years apart from their 1st faceoff (9/7/08)
Last 4:
2007: Smoltz/Maddux (1990)
2007: Wells/Moyer (1990)
2007: Randy Johnson/Moyer (1989)
1992: Tanana/Blyleven (1973)h/t @EliasSports
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 8, 2025
MORE:Â Inside MLB home run records by game, season and career
How many players have 3,000 strikeouts?
When Kershaw joined the 3,000 strikeout club in July, he became the 20th player in MLB history to record that many strikeouts in his career. He followed Scherzer onto the list, as Scherzer was the 19th member of the club when he hit 3,000 strikeouts in 2021.
MORE:Â Who are MLB’s 50-50 club members?
