Aaron Nola vs. Max Scherzer: A Final Showdown at Citizens Bank Park?

What’s Happening Saturday?

Picture this: It’s a Saturday evening in Philadelphia. The Phillies are playing the Toronto Blue Jays. Two veteran pitchers—guys who have been throwing baseballs for a living for a long time—are set to face off.

• Aaron Nola takes the mound for the Phillies.
• Max Scherzer starts for the Blue Jays.

This isn’t just any game. It’s the seventh time these two have squared off as starting pitchers. And it might be the very last.

Important Point: Max Scherzer is 42 years old. That’s ancient for a professional baseball pitcher! Most pitchers retire in their mid-to-late 30s.

Why This Game Is Special

Scherzer’s Uncertain Future

• Scherzer has only made 8 starts this season before Saturday.
• His ERA (Earned Run Average)—a stat that measures how many runs a pitcher gives up per 9 innings (lower is better)—is a rough 7.92 so far this year.
• He hasn’t said 2025 is his last season, but at 42, teams might not want to sign him for another year.
• His longtime rival/friend Justin Verlander (also a future Hall of Famer) has announced 2025 is his last ride.

Nola Is Staying Put

• Nola is signed through 2030. He’s not going anywhere.
• The Phillies won’t play the Blue Jays again this year.
• So Saturday is very likely the final chapter in the Nola vs. Scherzer story.

The History: Nola vs. Scherzer Through the Years

It’s actually surprising they’ve only faced each other 6 times before Saturday. Here’s why:

Breaking Down Their Past Battles

Here’s a simple recap of their 6 previous head-to-head starts:

1. April 16, 2016 @ Philly (Nationals 8, Phillies 1)

• Scherzer dominated: 7 innings, 1 run, 7 strikeouts.
• Nola struggled: Gave up 3 runs in the 1st inning (including a 2-run homer to Bryce Harper—who played for Washington then!).
• Scherzer won the NL Cy Young Award (best pitcher in the league) that year.

2. August 23, 2018 @ Philly (Phillies 2, Nationals 0) Nola’s Best Game Ever?

• Nola was incredible: 8 shutout innings, 9 strikeouts, only 5 hits.
• Key moment: Struck out Bryce Harper with 2 runners on base to end the 8th inning.
• Scherzer was great too: 10 strikeouts, 2.13 ERA on the season… but lost because Odúbel Herrera hit a 2-run homer off him.
• Fun fact: Both pitchers finished the game with a 2.13 ERA!

3. August 28, 2018 @ Philly (Nationals 5, Phillies 4)

• Rematch 5 days later!
• Nola pitched well again (7 innings, 1 earned run).
• Scherzer allowed 3 earned runs in 5 innings.
• Heartbreak ending: Phillies lost because pinch-runner Vince Velasquez left 2nd base too early on a tag-up play and got doubled off. Game over.

4. September 24, 2019 @ Washington (Nationals 6, Phillies 5)

• Game 2 of a doubleheader (two games in one day!).
• Both pitchers struggled: Nola gave up 5 runs in 5⅔ innings; Scherzer gave up 4 runs in 6 innings.
• Brad Miller hit 2 homers for the Phillies, but it wasn’t enough.

5. August 10, 2021 @ LA (Dodgers 5, Phillies 0)

• Scherzer was now a Dodger (traded mid-season).
• Rain delay shortened the game.
• Nola: 4 shutout innings, 1 hit.
• Scherzer: 3⅓ shutout innings, 3 hits.
• Dodgers won 5-0, ending the Phillies’ 8-game winning streak.

6. April 13, 2022 @ New York (Mets 9, Phillies 6)

• Scherzer signed a 3-year, $130 million deal with the Mets.
• Nola’s worst outing vs. Scherzer: Only 3⅓ innings, 6 runs.
• Scherzer’s best vs. Nola: 5 innings, 1 run, 7 strikeouts (his 2nd start as a Met).

What’s Next for Both Pitchers?

Aaron Nola (Age 31)

• Signed through 2030 (he’ll be 37).
• Still a core piece of the Phillies’ rotation.
• Will face many more opponents in the years ahead.

Max Scherzer (Age 42)

• Possibly pitching his final season.
• 8-time All-Star, 3-time Cy Young winner, World Series champ (2019 with Nationals).
• Has pitched for 5 teams since 2021: Nationals → Dodgers → Mets → Rangers → Blue Jays.
• Even if baseball returns in 2027 (labor disputes could cancel a season), teams may not want a 43-year-old starter.

Important Point: This isn’t just a baseball game. It’s a passing of the torch moment. The young ace who stayed (Nola) vs. the legendary journeyman nearing the end (Scherzer).

Summary

• Saturday = Nola vs. Scherzer, Round 7 (likely the last).
• Scherzer is 42, struggling this year (7.92 ERA), and may retire.
• Nola is 31, locked in long-term with Philly.
• They’ve split their 6 previous matchups 3-3, with some all-time classic games (especially August 2018).
• Scherzer has worn 5 different uniforms since they last faced in 2022.
• Soak it in. You’re watching two generational talents share the mound one final time.

FAQ

What does "ERA" mean?

ERA = Earned Run Average. It tells you how many runs a pitcher typically gives up over 9 innings. Lower is better. Under 3.00 is excellent. Over 5.00 is rough. Scherzer’s 7.92 this year is very high.

What’s a "Cy Young Award"?

It’s the trophy for best pitcher in the league (one for American League, one for National League). Scherzer has won it 3 times. Nola has never won it (finished 3rd in 2018).

Why have they only faced each other 6 times in ~10 years?

Starting pitchers only pitch once every 5 days. Plus, Scherzer changed teams 4 times since 2021! Schedules rarely lined up.

What’s a "frienemy"?

A mix of friend + enemy. Scherzer and Justin Verlander are close friends off the field but fierce competitors on it. They’ve chased the same records for 15+ years.

Can I watch highlights of their past games?

Yes! The original article has YouTube embeds for the 2018 games (Nola’s masterpiece + the Velasquez blunder) and the 2022 Mets game. Search "Nola vs Scherzer August 23 2018" on YouTube for the best one!