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Nola vs. Scherzer VII: Is This the Last Dance?
Nola vs. Scherzer: A Farewell Duel Between Two Baseball Legends
TL;DR: This Saturday, two veteran pitchers—Aaron Nola (Phillies) and Max Scherzer (Blue Jays)—face off for likely the last time ever. It’s their 7th meeting over 9 years. Scherzer is 42 and may retire soon. Nola is locked in through 2030. Here’s why this game feels like the final chapter of a great rivalry.
Why This Game Matters
Imagine two kids who grew up playing catch in the backyard, then became pro pitchers, and kept running into each other on the biggest stage. That’s Nola and Scherzer.
- This is Matchup #7 — and probably the finale
- Scherzer is 42 years old — ancient in baseball years
- He’s only made 8 starts this season with a rough 7.92 ERA (that means opponents score a lot against him)
- He hasn’t said he’s retiring, but teams might not want him next year
- The Phillies don’t play the Blue Jays again this year — so no rematch chances
IMPORTANT: Think of this like the last episode of a TV show where two main characters finally share one last scene together. You watch not just for the score, but for the history.
Meet the Pitchers
Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Age: 31 (in his prime)
- Status: Signed through 2030 — he’s staying put
- Style: Smart, steady, throws strikes, doesn’t walk many batters
- Think of him as: The reliable friend who always shows up on time and gets the job done
Max Scherzer (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Age: 42 (baseball grandfather territory)
- Nickname: "Mad Max" — intense competitor, famous for different-colored eyes
- Trophies: 3 Cy Young Awards (best pitcher of the year), 8-time All-Star
- Journey: Nationals → Dodgers → Mets → Rangers → Blue Jays
- Think of him as: The fierce veteran who wins with grit, smarts, and pure will
Their History: The Previous 6 Showdowns
They’ve only faced each other 6 times in 9 years — surprisingly rare for two aces in the same division for so long.
| # | Date | Scherzer’s Team | Result | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 16, 2016 | Nationals | Scherzer wins 8-1 | Scherzer dominates; Bryce Harper (then a Nat) crushes a 2-run HR off Nola |
| 2 | Aug 23, 2018 | Nationals | Nola wins 2-0 | Nola’s career-defining game: 8 shutout innings, K’s Harper with 2 on, 2 out in the 8th |
| 3 | Aug 28, 2018 | Nationals | Nola outpitches Scherzer, but Phillies lose 5-4 | Weird ending: Phillies runner leaves base too early, gets doubled off to end game |
| 4 | Sep 24, 2019 | Nationals | Nats win 6-5 | Both struggle in a wild doubleheader game; Brad Miller hits 2 HRs for Philly |
| 5 | Aug 10, 2021 | Dodgers | Dodgers win 5-0 | Rain cuts it short; both pitch well (Nola: 4 shutout IP, Scherzer: 3⅓ shutout IP) |
| 6 | Apr 13, 2022 | Mets | Mets win 9-6 | Scherzer’s 2nd start as a Met; K’s 7 in 5 IP; Nola knocked out early (3⅓ IP) |
Game-by-Game Breakdown (ELI5 Style)
1. April 16, 2016 — The Rookie vs. The King
- Scherzer was already a superstar, en route to a Cy Young
- Nola was still finding his footing
- Result: Scherzer 7 IP, 1 run, 7 K’s | Nola: rough day, Harper homers off him
- Lesson: Even future stars have bad days
2. August 23, 2018 — Nola’s Masterpiece
- Probably the best game Nola ever pitched
- 8 innings, 0 runs, 5 hits, 9 strikeouts
- The signature moment: 2 outs, 8th inning, runners on 1st & 2nd — Nola strikes out Bryce Harper (his old teammate, now enemy)
- Scherzer was great too (10 K’s, 2.13 ERA) but lost 2-0
- Why it matters: Two aces at their peak, trading zeros. Baseball at its purest.
3. August 28, 2018 — The Heartbreaker
- Just 5 days later, they go again
- Nola pitches well again (7 IP, 1 earned run)
- Scherzer struggles (5 IP, 3 earned runs)
- But Phillies lose 5-4 on a bizarre baserunning mistake: pinch-runner Vince Velasquez leaves 2nd base too early on a fly ball, gets doubled off — game over
- Moral: You can pitch great and still lose. Baseball is cruel.
4. September 24, 2019 — The Slugfest
- Doubleheader Game 2 (two games in one day!)
- Both pitchers get hammered: Nola 5 runs in 5⅔ IP, Scherzer 4 runs in 6 IP
- Phillies lose 6-5 despite Brad Miller hitting two home runs
- Context: Harper’s last year in DC; emotions running high
5. August 10, 2021 — The Rainout Special
- Scherzer now a Dodger (traded mid-season)
- Rain delay shortens the game
- Nola: 4 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs — dealing
- Scherzer: 3⅓ IP, 3 hits, 0 runs — also dealing
- Dodgers win 5-0 after the delay (Phillies bats go cold)
- Fun fact: This came 2 days after Zack Wheeler threw a complete-game shutout on Roy Halladay’s number retirement day
6. April 13, 2022 — The Met Debut
- Scherzer signs 3 years, $130M with the Mets
- His 2nd start as a Met — strikes out 7 in 5 IP, 1 run allowed
- Nola struggles: 3⅓ IP, 6 runs (Phillies lose 9-6)
- Last time they faced each other — until now
What’s Different This Time
| Then | Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Both in their prime (late 20s/early 30s) | Nola: 31, still elite | Scherzer: 42, fading |
| Scherzer a Cy Young machine | Scherzer: 7.92 ERA in 8 starts this year | |
| Nola building his legacy | Nola: Face of the franchise, signed through 2030 | |
| NL East rivals (Nats vs. Phils) | Different leagues (AL East vs. NL East) — no regular rematches | |
| 6 previous meetings | Likely the 7th and final |
KEY POINT: This isn’t about who wins. It’s about witnessing history. Two guys who defined an era of NL East baseball, sharing the mound one last time.
Why You Should Watch (Even If You’re Not a Die-Hard)
- Rarity: 42-year-old pitchers don’t happen often
- Respect: These two have battled for nearly a decade — you’ll see mutual respect, not trash talk
- Storytelling: Every at-bat carries 9 years of context
- The "Mad Max" Factor: Scherzer’s intensity, even in decline, is must-see TV
- Nola’s Consistency: Watch a modern master at work — precise, calm, professional
Summary
- Aaron Nola (Phillies) vs. Max Scherzer (Blue Jays) — Saturday night
- 7th career matchup, almost certainly the last
- Scherzer, 42, may be done after this year — 7.92 ERA, only 8 starts
- Nola, 31, locked in through 2030 — the constant
- History: 6 previous games (2016–2022), including Nola’s career-best in 2018
- Scherzer’s journey: Nats → Dodgers → Mets → Rangers → Jays
- No more Phillies-Jays games this year — truly the finale
- Watch for the moment, not just the box score
FAQ
Why have they only faced each other 6 times in 9 years?
A: They were in the same division (NL East) when Scherzer was with the Nationals (2015–2021), but aces don’t always line up perfectly due to rotation schedules, injuries, off-days, and the 5-man rotation cycle. Since Scherzer left the Nats, he’s been in the AL (Dodgers briefly, Mets, Rangers, Jays) — interleague play is limited.
What is ERA and why is 7.92 bad?
A: ERA = Earned Run Average. It’s the average number of runs a pitcher allows per 9 innings. Lower is better. League average is usually around 4.00. 7.92 means opponents score ~8 runs every game he starts — very high for a starter.
What’s a Cy Young Award?
A: The Cy Young Award goes to the best pitcher in each league (American & National) every year. It’s the pitcher’s version of MVP. Scherzer has won it 3 times (2013, 2016, 2017) — putting him in elite company.
Why does Scherzer have different-colored eyes?
A: He has heterochromia iridum — one eye is blue, the other brown. It’s a harmless genetic trait. It’s become his trademark, along with his intense stare on the mound.
Can I still watch if I don’t have cable?
A: Yes! Check MLB.tv, Apple TV+ (Friday Night Baseball), Peacock (Sunday mornings), or your local RSN (Regional Sports Network) app. Many games are also on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, etc.
Final Thought: Sports give us few guaranteed "last times." This Saturday, we get one. Two warriors. One mound. Nine years of history. Don’t blink.
