LOS ANGELES – Max scherzer and Clayton Kershaw first clashed Sept. 7, 2008, during their rookie seasons, understudies thrust onto the mainstage when Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux were both scratched from one final duel between the two all-time greats. Only 17 years later, it is clear that one pair of now Hall of Famers was replaced by another set of Cooperstown-bound hurlers, which is what made their sixth, and perhaps final, meeting friday night so highly anticipated.
Together, they have six Cy Young Awards, 19 all-star selections and four World Series championships, becoming undeniably the class of their generation. They may also very well be the last pitchers to surpass each of the 200-win, 3,000-strikeout and 2,800-inning plateaus, making it a marquee matchup with an end-of-an-era feel.
“Yeah and it’s also not so much watch us now, but go back and hey, this is what we did when we were coming up,” scherzer said in advance of the outing. “We came up together, we got developed kind of the same way, where we had much higher pitch counts, things that we were working on. It’s different in today’s game. I get it. But some of the principles can stand the test of time.”
Maybe, although that’s also underselling the unicorn nature of their drive, intellect and natural ability, which is how Scherzer, at 41, and Kershaw, at 37, managed to deliver yet another compelling duel in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Each went six innings before a sell-out crowd of 53,825 at an electric Dodger Stadium also celebrating a Kobe Bryant Night. Kershaw bent first, allowing a run in the second on Addison Barger’s single to right, before Scherzer made one mistake in the fifth, when he hung a first-pitch slider that mookie Betts hammered for a two-run shot that put the defending World Series champions ahead 2-1.
“Got to execute all throughout the game – they’re too good,” Scherzer lamented. “shows that you make a couple mistakes and when they can get you, they get you.”
The dodgers pushed the game out of reach in the seventh when Brendon Little opened the inning with a four-pitch walk, Shohei Ohtani’s chopper off went Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s glove put men on first and third and Betts’ chopper to short allowed Alex Freeland just ahead of Bichette’s throw home. After Freddie Freeman walked to load the bases, Louis Varland walked Will Smith to score another run and surrendered a Teoscar Hernandez sacrifice fly before escaping the jam.
The loss ended a three-game win streak for the Blue Jays (68-49), who went from pounding the pitiful Colorado Rockies to wrestling with the relentless depth of the enviable Dodgers (67-49). It wasn’t the opening they wanted in a series featuring division leaders and it cost them a game in the standings as two hours south, the Boston Red sox (65-52) pounded the San Diego Padres 10-2, but the way Scherzer felt during the outing carries wider meaning.
Scherzer and Corbin Renew Rivalry in Blue Jays-Dodgers Matchup
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Max Scherzer and Zack Corbin faced off once again on August 8, 2024, in a pitching duel between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking a important moment for two veteran pitchers with a history spanning 17 years. While the Dodgers ultimately won 2-0, the game highlighted the enduring respect and competitive spirit between the two pitchers, who may represent a dwindling breed of dominant starting pitchers in modern baseball.
A History Rekindled
Scherzer and Corbin first met on the mound on May 17, 2007, when Scherzer was pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Corbin for the Los Angeles Dodgers. That game,a 5-3 Dodgers victory,saw neither pitcher factor into the decision. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAD/LAD200705170.shtml The recent matchup provided a nostalgic echo of that initial encounter, reminding both pitchers of their longevity and evolution in the game.
A Pitching Duel in 2024
In the August 8th game,Scherzer acknowledged the challenge of facing Corbin,stating,”You knew there weren’t going to be many runs scored and you’ve got to be absolutely nails,go out there and compete as hard as you can.” The Blue Jays managed to get seven hits and a walk against Corbin, but were unable to capitalize, ultimately falling short against the Dodgers.
Scherzer reflected on the difficulty of scoring against Corbin, saying, “unfortunately we weren’t able to get to him as much as we would like to, but he pitched his butt off.” Bo Bichette, a key player for the Blue Jays, doubled and scored in the second inning but was later held in check, grounding out and hitting into a double play.
Mutual Respect and a Changing Game
The respect between Scherzer and Corbin is palpable. Scherzer praised Corbin as “an awesome teammate” and expressed his admiration for his performance both on and off the field. “I’ve got all the respect in the world for what he does on and off the field,” Scherzer said. This sentiment is reciprocated, highlighting a bond forged through years of competition and a shared understanding of the demands of the game.
the matchup also sparked reflection on the changing landscape of baseball, with some suggesting that Scherzer and Corbin may be among the last of a dying breed of workhorse starting pitchers. Their dedication to the craft and ability to consistently deliver high-quality starts are increasingly rare in an era focused on pitch counts and specialization.
Key Takeaways
Long-Standing Rivalry: Max Scherzer and Zack Corbin renewed their pitching duel after 17 years, dating back to a 2007 matchup.
Pitching Dominance: Both pitchers demonstrated their skill, with Corbin holding the Blue Jays to no runs despite allowing seven hits and a walk.
Mutual Respect: Scherzer and Corbin share a deep respect for each other’s abilities and character.
Changing Baseball: The matchup highlighted the potential rarity of durable, high-performance starting pitchers in modern baseball.
Looking ahead, the continued success of pitchers like Scherzer and Corbin serves as a testament to the enduring value of skill, experience, and competitive spirit in baseball. Their rivalry, rekindled after so many years, offers a compelling narrative in a sport constantly evolving.