Knobler: Scherzer had help, but also earned chance at 20-win season
Thanks to a 12-5 win over the White Sox on Friday night, Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer became the first 20-game winner in baseball this season. It was his fifth attempt at the round-number milestone.
Scherzer, 29, improved to 20-3 on the year. He allowed three runs on six hits and one walk in six innings while striking out three. A solid outing but not truly dominant. He didn't need to be given the run support. Scherzer raised his season ERA to an even 3.00, and he came into Friday leading the league with a 0.96 WHIP.
Justin Verlander won 24 games en route to being named the AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner in 2011, but prior to that the Tigers had not had a 20-game winner since Bill Gullickson in 1991. Scherzer is the 24th different pitcher in franchise history to have a 20-win season. Here's the list.
Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann won his 19th game of the season on Friday night. Adam Wainwright and C.J. Wilson both have 17 wins and four others have 16 wins. With only 10 days left in the regular season, it doesn't look like Scherzer will get much (if any) company in the 20-win club.
Scherzer is the favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award this year, and not just because of his gaudy win-loss record. He's been outstanding by any measure.
