Kyle Schwarber and Colson Montgomery are in a race for MLB history no one wants to make

May 9, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) hits a three-run home run against the Colorado Rockies in the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

There are plenty of records players are chasing to close out the 2026 MLB season. For the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox, they have a pair of star sluggers seeking the same kind of history.

Kyle Schwarber and Colson Montgomery, two of the game's best power-hitters, are in pursuit of the same MLB history. The only issue? This isn't the kind of history a player wants to set.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today shared how Schwarber and Montgomery are both chasing the MLB single-season strikeout record held by Mark Reynolds. Unfortunately, both have a real chance at making this MLB history.

Kyle Schwarber and Colson Montgomery are in pursuit of same dubious MLB history

"Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber and White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery are on the verge of making dubious baseball history," Nightengale writes. "Schwarber and Montgomery each had 216 strikeouts entering Sunday, endangering Mark Reynolds' all-time record of 223 strikeouts in 2009."

Players are striking out more than ever, and for these two sluggers, strikeout history is very much in play.

Entering play on Sunday, September 20, both Montgomery and Schwarber have seven more games to go during the 2026 regular season.

They're each at 216 strikeouts, needing just seven to tie the all-time single-season record set by Reynolds.

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Considering both will likely be starters for all of their remaining games amid a postseason push, this strikeout record is very possible.

With seven games to go, they need to average one strikeout per game to tie Reynolds' record. Of these two sluggers, Montgomery might have the slight advantage for the record.

In the last week, Montgomery has struck out 10 times, tied for the second-most in MLB during that span. Schwarber in that same span has struck out six times. If those paces held, Montgomery would reach 226 strikeouts, while Schwarber would reach 222.

The race for this MLB record is a fascinating one, although the players themselves probably don't want to actually break this dubious MLB record.

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