Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom made their 2026 season debuts on Tuesday night, each delivering a first start for their respective teams that showcased flashes of dominance—and, more importantly, strong underlying health metrics. As two of baseball’s premier pitchers of their era, comparing Scherzer and deGrom in 2026 reveals intriguing contrasts, beginning with their roles in the starting rotation.
Slotting in as Game 5 starters, the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers boast a combined five Cy Young Awards (three for Scherzer, two for deGrom) at the back end of their rotations—an enviable luxury. Both right-handers bring Hall of Fame résumés to the mound: Scherzer’s first-ballot case is all but secured, while deGrom may still have another defining chapter to write. At this stage of their long-tenured careers, their elite command, intensity, and pedigree continue to unsettle opposing hitters. They still have the stuff to make the game look one-sided.
