on september 20, after a 12–5 win over the chicago white sox, scherzer became the first major league pitcher to reach 20 wins. scherzer became the second tigers pitcher to reach 20 wins since bill gullickson in 1991, following verlander in 2011, and the 45th in tigers history. he finished the regular season at 21–3, with a league-leading 0.97 whip, 2.90 era, and a career-high 240 strikeouts. he was the only 20-game winner in the majors in 2013. scherzer's stellar season earned him the 2013 al cy young award, receiving 28 of 30 first-place votes. he also was the winner of the players choice award for al outstanding pitcher, and the "baseball digest" pitcher of the year—bestowed annually to one pitcher in the major leagues.