Max Scherzer passes Greg Maddux on all-time MLB strikeouts list, now chasing Justin Verlander

Max Scherzer made his second start of the season for the Texas Rangers on Friday night. Facing the Baltimore Orioles, he surpassed one of the game’s legends in Major League Baseball all-time elimination list.

With the elimination of Ramón Urías in the second round, Scherzer reached 3,372 for his career and passed Greg Maddux for 11th place in the all-time rankings. He recorded four kills in the 2-1 loss, giving him 3.375 to 18 behind former teammate Justin Verlander.

Maddux wasn’t known as a strikeout pitcher, which seems like a prank he played on fans throughout his career. Until this season, he was in the top 10 in career strikeouts with 3,371.

Verlander passed Maddux last month for 10th place, putting him behind Walter Johnson’s 3,509 in ninth place. But Scherzer is gaining the upper hand on Verlander, who is currently on the injured list, and could soon overtake his teammate. The two could spend the rest of their careers fighting to surpass each other and perhaps crack the top five on the all-time list.

No other active pitcher is likely to come close to Verlander and Scherzer. Clayton Kershaw is currently number 21 with 2,944 strikeouts, Chris Sale is number 56 with 2,307 and Gerrit Cole is number 71 with 2,157 Ks.

All-time MLB strikeouts list

1. Nolan Ryan – 5,714

2.Randy Johnson – 4,875

3.Roger Clemens – 4,672

4.Steve Carlton – 4,136

5. Bert Blyleven – 3,701

6.Tom Seaver – 3,640

7. Don Sutton – 3,574

8. Gaylord Perry – 3,534

9. Walter Johnson – 3,509

10. Justin Verlander – 3,393