The New York Mets are aggressively pursuing free-agent starter Max Scherzer, who is expected to make his decision before the impending Dec. 1 lockout, but they may need to move to a Plan B given his known preferences. Scherzer limited his choices to California teams as a trade piece last summer, so the Mets know it won't be easy. The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels are among the team's interested. The perennial All-Star and Cy Young contender had a great second half with the Dodgers, going 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 89 strikeouts and only eight walks in 11 starts over 68 1/3 innings. The 37-year-old is still going strong as a fantasy asset and should help anchor any pitching staff he joins in 2022.

The New York Mets are determined to add a top starting pitcher after just signing outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha and infielder Eduardo Escobar on Friday, and their order of preference appears to be Max Scherzer, Kevin Gausman and Robbie Ray. It's unclear how realistic it is for the Mets to land Scherzer. The Mets also have interest in re-signing Marcus Stroman, but he said that the team would prefer a bigger name starting pitcher. The New York Post's Joel Sherman reported that the Mets also have interest in right-hander Jon Gray. After spending $124.5 million on free-agent bats on Friday, it's possible that Gray and Stroman are more realistic targets. Stroman had a nice 3.02 ERA in 33 starts for the Mets in 2021, so he'd be a solid consolation prize if New York doesn't make a huge splash with a starting pitcher.

Free-agent starting pitcher Max Scherzer finished third in the voting for the National League Cy Young Award, which went to the Milwaukee Brewers' Corbin Burnes on Wednesday. The Philadelphia Phillies' Zack Wheeler was second. Scherzer threw 179.1 innings during the 2021 season, pitching to a 2.46 ERA and a 2.97 FIP. He also struck out 236 batters while walking 36. It was the ninth time in the right-hander's career that he's topped 200 strikeouts. Scherzer had finished in the top five in Cy Young voting seven different times before this season. He won the award with the Detroit Tigers in 2013 and with the Washington Nationals in 2016 and 2017.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will turn to starting pitcher Walker Buehler on short rest for Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday, with starter Max Scherzer dealing with general arm fatigue. Buehler has made three starts this postseason and last pitched on Oct. 19. Scherzer admitted to having "dead arm" during his 79-pitch start in Game 2 against the Braves when he allowed two runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings. It's unknown if Mad Max would be available to pitch in a potential Game 7 on Sunday, but the team is holding out hope that he'll feel better. Buehler made his first start on short rest in Game 4 of the Division Series against the San Francisco Giants and gave up just one run in 4 1/3 innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Max Scherzer is starting Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. The 37-year-old pitched to a 2.46 ERA and a 2.97 FIP during the regular season while striking out 236 batters and surrendering 36 walks. In 12.1 innings this postseason, the veteran has struck out 16 batters while surrendering six hits, four walks, two earned runs, and a home run. Sunday will mark the veteran's third start of the year against Atlanta. In 12 innings against the National League East club during the regular season, Scherzer struck out 18 batters while giving up eight hits, four earned runs, and four home runs.

On Sunday, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Max Scherzer would start Game 163 for the team if the game is required. That game would take place if the Dodgers win and the San Francisco Giants lose on Sunday. Scherzer has been fantastic since joining the Dodgers. Over 11 starts, he's gone 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP. However, he struggled in his last two outings, allowing a combined 10 earned runs over 10.1 innings. Roberts also said that everyone would be available in Game 163 as the team would be in a "play to win" mode.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer had his first bad outing in a Dodgers jersey on Thursday. Facing the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, Scherzer pitched five innings and allowed six hits, one walk and five earned runs while striking out six. He wound up with a no decision as the Dodgers went on to win 7-5. The 37-year-old veteran hadn't allowed an earned run over his first 29 innings of the month of September. Thursday's outing increased his month-long ERA to 1.32 and his ERA over 10 starts with the Dodgers is now 1.43. He'll make one more start during the normal 162-game season against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. The Dodgers appear likely to be playing a 163rd game or a Wild Card game after next weekend and Scherzer will be getting the ball for that game.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer has been nothing short of phenomenal since joining the team at the trade deadline. The Dodgers have won all eight of the games he's started for them. He's been especially dominant so far in September. Over three starts this month, he's pitched 22 innings and hasn't allowed a single earned run or a walk. He's struck out 31 batters over the 22 innings. The 37-year-old veteran is operating on another level right now and it's hard to imagine many (if any) pitchers you'd rather have on your fantasy team to close the year.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer continues to excel with the Dodgers and picked up another victory on Monday. The veteran left his last start with a hamstring injury, but looked healthy this afternoon. Scherzer tossed eight innings and allowed six hits, one run (zero earned), zero walks and struck out 13 versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Scherzer has been lights out in Dodger blue and continues to have a great year overall. Scherzer is now 13-4 with a 2.28 ERA. Next up for Scherzer will be a date versus the San Diego Padres on Saturday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (hamstring) had a dominant outing against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday before leaving the game due to hamstring tightness. He pitched six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out nine. After the game, Scherzer told reporters that he first felt his hamstring tightening up during warm-ups. He also added, "I've had this in the past and you just get the treatment on it, listen to the trainers and do what they want you to do with it. In the past, I've always been able to make my next start, and I think I'll definitely be able to make my next start, going back out there." If he's true to his word, his next start will come on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Scherzer has now made six starts with the Dodgers and has gone 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 50 strikeouts to just five walks.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer continued his dominance with six shutout innings in Wednesday's no-decision versus the Atlanta Braves. Scherzer allowed three hits, zero runs, zero walks and struck out nine on the evening, but exited early with hamstring tightness. The right-hander was already having a great season for the Washington Nationals, but he has been lights out for the Dodgers. With the Dodgers, the veteran is 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 50 strikeouts in six starts. For the season, the veteran is 12-4 with a 2.40 ERA. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that he expects Scherzer to make his start on Tuesday versus the St. Louis Cardinals. He should continue to be used in all of his starts moving forward.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer continued his impressive season with a victory versus the San Diego Padres on Thursday evening. The veteran went 7 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed just two hits, one walk and struck out 10 on the evening. Scherzer has been dominating with his new team and is now 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA in five starts for the Dodgers. For the season, the veteran is 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA to go along with 188 strikeouts in 140 innings pitched. Scherzer has shown no signs of slowing down this year and will look to keep it going versus the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer went five innings in Saturday's victory versus the New York Mets. The veteran was dominant against his former division foe and the only thing that was able to stop him were the 103 pitches that he threw. Scherzer went five innings and allowed five hits, one run, one walk and struck out eight on the afternoon. Coming over from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline, Scherzer has been everything the Dodgers had hoped for and more. He is now 11-4 with a cool 2.65 ERA. Next up for Scherzer will be a matchup versus the weak hitting Colorado Rockies on Friday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer improved to 10-4 in Sunday's win versus the New York Mets. Scherzer tossed six frames and allowed four hits, two runs, two walks and struck out seven on the evening. The former Washington National has been everything the Dodgers expected to get and is now 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA in his first three starts for Los Angeles. Scherzer has consistently been one of the top at his position and is now 10-4 with an impressive 2.69 ERA. Scherzer will look to keep it going against the Mets in a rematch on Friday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer picked up a no-decision in Tuesday's start versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Scherzer was looking excellent, but his start was shortened with a lengthy rain delay. Scherzer would finish with a line of three hits, zero runs, zero walks and six strikeouts. Scherzer has now made two starts with his new team and has looked excellent in both. Scherzer continues to be one of the top starting pitchers in the game and is 9-4 with a 2.67 ERA. Next up for Scherzer will be a matchup versus the New York Mets.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer enjoyed a nice outing in his debut with his new club on Wednesday versus the Houston Astros. Scherzer was dominant on the evening with 10 strikeouts and also allowed five hits, two runs and a walk in seven innings. Scherzer came over from the Washington Nationals in a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline and is now playing behind one of the best offenses in the game. Scherzer should see plenty of run support moving forward and remains one of the best starting pitchers in the league. He is now 9-4 with a healthy 2.76 ERA and will face the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.

Max Scherzer and Trea Turner wearing Dodger blue, Kris Bryant heading to the Golden Gate. Javier Báez joining the Mets, Craig Kimbrel crossing town to the White Sox, José Berríos moving north of the border. Now this truly was an All-Star trade deadline day. After a run-up that saw the likes of Nelson Cruz, Anthony Rizzo, Joey Gallo and Adam Frazier swapped, even more big names changed teams during a whirlwind Friday. From contenders boosting their roster to the also-ran Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals gutting theirs, this was a monster day for moves. “They all feel busy, but today was nonstop,” said Cleveland president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, who made three trades. “We executed a number of trades but there were probably at least another dozen other ones that we contemplated seriously at different points in time and exchanged different ideas,” he said. Several playoff chasers pursued arms, with Toronto landing Berríos, Philadelphia getting Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy,... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kris Bryant was the face of the Chicago Cubs for a long time. His new bosses in San Francisco were thrilled that joining the Giants meant so much to him, despite the emotions of leaving the only major league team he's ever known. Bryant grew up in Las Vegas and loved to watch Giants slugger Barry Bonds — and now the versatile star will get a chance to play not only in the home run king's former spot in left field, but all over the diamond. The first-place Giants made a big splash just before the trade deadline Friday by acquiring Bryant from the Cubs for two minor leaguers. “Could not be more excited to be a Giant,” president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said. “I’ve had a number of phone calls after trades with players. Never spoken to a player more excited to be coming to a new organization.” The 29-year-old Bryant, whose NL MVP season of 2016 helped the Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years, got word while wearing his Chicago uniform and was... [More]

Max Scherzer and Trea Turner wearing Dodger blue, Kris Bryant heading to the Golden Gate. Javier Báez joining the Mets, Craig Kimbrel crossing town to the White Sox, José Berríos moving north of the border. Now this truly was an All-Star trade deadline day. After a run-up that saw the likes of Nelson Cruz, Anthony Rizzo, Joey Gallo and Adam Frazier swapped, even more big names changed teams during a whirlwind Friday. From contenders boosting their roster to the also-ran Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals gutting theirs, this was a monster day for moves. “They all feel busy, but today was nonstop,” said Cleveland president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, who made three trades. “We executed a number of trades but there were probably at least another dozen other ones that we contemplated seriously at different points in time and exchanged different ideas,” he said. Several playoff chasers pursued arms, with Toronto landing Berríos, Philadelphia getting Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy,... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Saturday: ___ EIGHT IS ENOUGH Joey Votto has homered in seven straight games and the Cincinnati Reds star can match a major league record by going deep against the New York Mets. Votto connected for a solo shot to center field off Mets reliever Drew Smith during Cincinnati's 6-2 victory Friday night at Citi Field. The six-time All-Star and 2010 NL MVP became the eighth player to homer in at least seven straight games and first since Kendrys Morales did it for the Toronto Blue Jays in August 2018. Dale Long (1956), Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993) are the only players to go deep in eight consecutive games. Votto has nine homers and 15 RBIs during his streak, which began last Saturday and includes just one hit that wasn’t a home run — an infield single against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. ___ REVISED ROSTERS Plenty of big-name players are in different uniforms this weekend after a whirlwind of activity before MLB's trade deadline... [More]