Max Scherzer, the defending NL Cy Young award winner, and one of six starters in MLB history to win the Cy Young in both leagues, finished the 2017 campaign (16-6) in 32 starts with a 2.51 ERA, a 2.90 FIP, 55 walks (2.47 BB/9), 268 Ks (12.02 K/9), and a stingy .177/.247/.319 line against in 200 2⁄3 innings pitched.
Scherzer’s 4.05 ERA in six starts in September/October may have hurt his cause as he goes for a third Cy Young, taking him from a 2.21 ERA up to 2.51.
Scherzer posted double-digit Ks in 15 of 32 starts on the season in 2017, he led the NL in total Ks (268), and became just the fourth pitcher in major league history to reach 250+ Ks in four straight seasons, joining a short list that includes Randy Johnson (1997 and 2002), Ferguson Jenkins (1968-71), and Pedro Martinez (1997-2000).