Fans and experts often point to Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer as the top starting pitchers of their time. These three have put up numbers that put them on track for the Hall of Fame. The question comes up again and again: which one is the true ace? This report looks at their career records, playoff showings, and standout moments to lay out the facts.
Background
These pitchers came up in Major League Baseball around the same period, starting their strong runs in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Kershaw broke out with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011, winning his first Cy Young Award that year. He kept dominating through much of the decade, picking up three more Cy Youngs and an MVP award in 2014. Verlander started even earlier, winning his first Cy Young with the Detroit Tigers in 2011, then another in 2019 with the Houston Astros. Scherzer made his mark with the Washington Nationals, grabbing three Cy Youngs between 2013 and 2017.
All three have pitched deep into their careers, still throwing quality innings well past age 40 for Verlander. Kershaw has spent his whole time with the Dodgers. Verlander moved from the Tigers to the Astros in a big trade in 2017. Scherzer went from the Arizona Diamondbacks to Detroit, then to Washington, the Dodgers, and now the Texas Rangers. Their paths crossed in playoffs and All-Star Games, fueling talks about who stands tallest.
Back injuries slowed Kershaw after his peak years from 2010 to 2015. Verlander bounced back strong after Tommy John surgery in 2020, throwing a no-hitter at age 38. Scherzer dealt with his own health issues but kept racking up strikeouts at a high rate. Together, they have nine Cy Young Awards, multiple no-hitters, and over 10,000 combined strikeouts.
Key Details
Career stats tell part of the story. Kershaw has a 2.51 ERA over 2,746 innings in 433 games. He owns 212 wins against 94 losses, with 2,970 strikeouts. His WHIP sits at 1.01, and his K/BB ratio is 4.36. No pitcher with 1,500 innings since 1920 has a lower ERA than his mark.
Verlander leads in volume. He has 262 wins and 150 losses in 536 starts, with 3,457 strikeouts in 3,467 innings. His ERA is 3.31, WHIP 1.13, and K/BB 3.55. He hit 3,000 strikeouts and threw three no-hitters, joining a short list of pitchers with that feat.
Scherzer falls in the middle on some totals but shines in efficiency. In 467 games and 2,881 innings, he has 215 wins, 112 losses, and 3,408 strikeouts. His ERA is 3.16, WHIP 1.08, and he leads with a 10.65 K/9 rate. He reached 2,500 strikeouts faster than most, behind only a few legends.
Playoff Records
Postseason numbers add another layer. Verlander has a 3.40 ERA over 187 innings, going 14-11 with a strong 1.65 Win Probability Added. But in seven World Series starts, he is 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA.
Scherzer posts a 3.58 ERA in 22 starts and some relief work, 7-7 with 27.7% cWPA. In three World Series games, his ERA is 3.86.
Kershaw struggles more here, with a 4.49 ERA in 158 innings, 13-13 record, and -0.05 WPA. His cWPA is 2.6% outside the 2020 bubble playoffs.
"Kershaw had the far superior peak from 2010-2015. If not for his back injuries, he had a chance to become the greatest pitcher of all time." – Baseball analyst reviewing their careers
Awards and Milestones
Kershaw has four Cy Youngs, one MVP, and 15 Gold Gloves. Verlander has three Cy Youngs, one MVP, and a no-hitter triple. Scherzer claims three Cy Youngs and leads in strikeout rate at 29% of batters faced.
What This Means
These stats shape how teams build around aces. Kershaw's low ERA sets a bar for regular-season control, influencing young pitchers to focus on limiting runs. Verlander's longevity shows the value of durability, as he keeps performing into his 40s, helping the Astros win a World Series in 2017 and reach more.
Scherzer's strikeout prowess changes game plans, with his high K/9 forcing hitters to swing more. His postseason edge over Kershaw highlights pressure performance, key for October success. All three boost their teams' chances in big games, but Verlander's volume gives him more total impact over 500-plus starts.
Hall of Fame voters will weigh these marks heavily. Kershaw's ERA record stands out for peak dominance. Verlander's innings and wins point to endurance. Scherzer's efficiency and strikeouts make a case for modern power pitching. Teams like the Dodgers, Astros, Nationals, and Rangers all chased titles with them at the front.
Their rivalry pushes the bar higher. Younger pitchers watch and learn from these paths. Verlander's late-career surge after surgery offers hope for recovery stories. Kershaw's injury battles remind of physical limits. Scherzer's late start proves prime years matter most.
Debate will go on as they add final chapters. Verlander nears 250 wins and 4,000 strikeouts. Kershaw chases a strong playoff finish. Scherzer aims to pad his totals. For now, the numbers speak: each excels in ways that define an ace, from peak to persistence to punchouts.
