How many strikeouts does Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer need to surpass Justin Verlander on Sunday?

Max Scherzer still has a chance to make MLB history this season. The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander is close to catching his former teammate Justin Verlander on MLB’s all-time strikeouts list, with MLB writer Sarah Langs reporting that the retiring Detroit Tigers pitcher started his final game with 3,560 career strikeouts, while Scherzer had 3,550.

So, after Verlander got six strikeouts against the Pirates in his final professional game, that means Scherzer needs 17 to pass him and take over eighth place on the all-time list.

Scherzer could begin his journey for the eighth overall spot on Sunday after striking out seven batters against the Baltimore Orioles. That outing brought his career total to 3,550, putting him four behind Verlander at that point.

The Blue Jays might have Scherzer pitch again on short rest for Sunday’s last regular-season game against the Cincinnati Reds. Manager John Schneider said Scherzer could start, giving him another shot to pitch in front of the home fans and possibly catch up to Verlander on the strikeout list.

Scherzer and Verlander played together on the Tigers from 2010 to 2014 and teamed up again with the New York Mets in 2023. Their careers have often crossed paths, and now they might have one last race to add to the record books.

Could Scherzer go out on Sunday and deliver one of the greatest performances of his career, striking out 17 batters to get past Verlander before riding off into the sunset? Potentially, as he did record 20 strikeouts against the Tigers in May of 2016, but at this point in his career, it’s more likely that honor would occur next year should he return for another season.