Scherzer Achieves Milestone in Rangers' Victory Over White Sox

Max Scherzer reached a significant career milestone on Thursday, moving into 10th place on the all-time strikeout list with 3,400 strikeouts. This achievement came during the Texas Rangers' narrow 2-1 victory against the Chicago White Sox, where Scherzer recorded a season-high nine strikeouts. The milestone was particularly notable as he surpassed former teammate Justin Verlander, a fellow three-time Cy Young Award winner. Scherzer emphasized the importance of durability in achieving such milestones, reflecting on his ability to remain healthy throughout his career despite recent injury challenges. In his 464th career game and 455th start, Scherzer's performance was commendable, placing him second only to Verlander's 519 starts. The veteran pitcher has celebrated World Series victories with the Washington Nationals in 2019 and the Rangers last season, following a mid-season trade from New York. Scherzer expressed that his primary focus remains on winning World Series titles, stating, “For me, this is all about the World Series.” Scherzer's accolades include three Cy Young Awards, won in 2013, 2016, and 2017, while Verlander has claimed the award in 2011, 2019, and 2022. The two pitchers have a friendly rivalry, with Scherzer acknowledging Verlander's greatness and anticipating continued competition. Catcher Andrew Knizner noted Scherzer's strong performance during the game, with both players recognizing the significance of Scherzer's pitching as the game progressed.