What happened: Speaking on Tim Kurkjian's podcast "Is This A Great Game, Or What," the right-hander who recently logged his 3,500th career strikeout detailed his experiences with former managers. He singled out Buck Showalter as operating "on another level" regarding baseball knowledge and powers of observation.

Why it matters: Showalter managed over 3,200 games across five major league organizations and earned Manager of the Year honors four times during his managerial career. Scherzer pitched under Showalter during their shared tenure with the New York Mets, making his assessment a direct reflection of Showalter's dugout preparation and tactical awareness.

What to watch: Scherzer continues his 2026 campaign in the Toronto Blue Jays rotation as the club navigates the summer schedule.