As the Toronto Blue Jays squared the series in the best-of-seven ALCS at a balanced two games each, an interesting pattern is beginning to take shape. The Seattle Mariners emerged victorious in both games held in Toronto, while the Blue Jays have, up to this point, secured wins in the initial pair of games in Seattle, notably including Thursday night’s 8-2 triumph (box score). Indeed, in this series, the visiting team has consistently claimed victory in every contest.
On a couple of occasions prior, we’ve witnessed a scenario where the visiting team clinched all seven games in a seven-game series. Those instances were the 2023 ALCS and the 2019 World Series. And who was a member of that 2019 Nationals team that ultimately triumphed? None other than Max Scherzer.
He assumed the pitching duties for the Blue Jays in Game 4, with the aspiration of aiding the Jays in averting a 3-1 series deficit. While the vintage version of Mad Max may not be entirely present anymore, the 41-year-old undeniably channeled his former self on Thursday night, summoning just enough prowess to secure the win.
The final statistical summary was somewhat less indicative of his actual performance over the latter innings, primarily due to a stranded runner eventually scoring following Scherzer’s exit, although it remained quite commendable: 5 ⅔ innings pitched, 3 hits allowed, 2 earned runs.
However, beyond the raw numbers, there was an undeniable presence. It was the unmistakable aura of Max Scherzer. Mad Max.
We’ve all observed his distinctive facial expressions and mannerisms on the pitching mound for an extended period, rendering them instantly recognizable. From his very first pitch, he appeared to be practically emitting flames. He actively roamed the mound after inducing swings and misses. And there was a boisterous exclamation following an inning-ending strikeout of Eugenio Suárez.
Of course, there was also the moment when manager John Schneider ventured onto the mound to check on Mad Max with two outs in the fifth, a move that some might consider audacious.
“I had been anticipating that occurrence throughout the entire year, for Max to express his feelings towards me on the mound,” Schneider commented post-game. “I believe that at that juncture, it involves a combination of statistics, projections, strategy, and, most importantly, the individuals involved. Therefore, I placed my trust in the people.”
“…I had a sense that he was on the verge of expressing his displeasure towards me. It was a positive experience.”
Scherzer would then proceed to strike out the subsequent batter. His intensity was on full display.
The statistical figures for Scherzer, which Schneider referenced, practically shouted “bench me” in this particular game. Following his arduous navigation through the fifth inning, there seemed to be no compelling rationale to send him back out for the sixth. Any data-driven analyst would have advocated for his removal from the game. Yet, simply by observing Scherzer, one could sense the potential, however slim, to extract a few more outs from him. Perhaps it was driven by emotion, or perhaps it was a longing for the past, reminiscent of the Prime Scherzer era. He exuded that particular essence.
The numbers might not have been in Scherzer’s favor, but his manager stood by him.
He is currently 41 years of age. During his final five regular-season starts, he recorded an ERA of 9.00. He had not participated in a game since September 24 and was not even included on the ALDS roster. He was not anticipated to deliver such a performance against a formidable Mariners offensive lineup.
Nevertheless, as he remained on the mound on Thursday, he increasingly resembled the Scherzer of his prime.
He encountered early trouble in the first inning, but a double play helped him escape unscathed. He conceded a solo home run at the commencement of the second. Through 2 ⅔ innings, he had no strikeouts. However, he concluded with five strikeouts through 5 ⅔ innings. He utilized his curveball on only 10 occasions, but he induced 10 swings on it, including six instances of batters missing the pitch. Of the 20 swings he generated with his four-seam fastball, 12 resulted in foul balls.
Some individuals — myself included, I must admit — initially believed that it was an error for the Blue Jays to entrust Scherzer with significant innings in a game that demanded a victory. However, Schneider perceived something else.
“I believe that everyone in the dugout was anticipating that very moment,” Schneider remarked after the game. “When you acquire Max Scherzer, you’re essentially awaiting that kind of moment. So, it undeniably provided us with a boost when he took the mound. And putting that aside, I am genuinely — I am proud of the manner in which Max has managed everything, from ensuring his physical readiness to being excluded from the roster in the previous series against the Yankees and handling it with utmost professionalism, and then delivering a performance of this caliber. So, that holds significant importance for everyone moving forward.”
Having spent 18 seasons in the major leagues, Scherzer possessed a keen understanding of his own capabilities and, akin to his manager, placed trust in what he could accomplish.
“It was a pivotal pitching juncture in the game. It was merely a specific scenario. I was internally processing the situation. I comprehended the game’s state and had a clear approach in mind. Then, unexpectedly, I noticed Schneids approaching, and I responded with a degree of surprise. I was not prepared to exit the game. I felt exceptionally capable,” Scherzer explained following the game.
“Therefore, we engaged in a brief discussion during which I conveyed my intention to remain in the game, albeit employing slightly different phrasing. I was confident in my strength, my desire to hold the ball, and my ability to secure outs in that particular situation. My sole aspiration was to stay in the game. I yearned for it.”
This was not akin to Babe Ruth purportedly calling his shot or any equally dramatic event, but Scherzer articulated his intentions clearly. He acknowledged the necessity of navigating the game strategically. And that is precisely what he achieved throughout his 17 outs of work.
Naturally, none of this comes as a complete surprise. Scherzer has garnered three Cy Young awards and secured two World Series titles. Over his regular-season career, he has amassed 221 victories and struck out nearly 3,500 batters. In 143 playoff innings preceding Game 4, he registered 171 strikeouts and seven wins.
In Game 4, he achieved his first postseason victory since 2019. Coincidentally, that was the same year that Scherzer and his Nationals triumphed by winning four road games to claim the World Series. The Blue Jays, having initially fallen into a 2-0 hole, are now halfway to accomplishing a similar feat in the 2025 ALCS.
