The Toronto Blue Jays are counting on Max Scherzer to bring his usual intensity when he takes the mound for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against Seattle on Thursday night.
Expressing his excitement, Scherzer stated, “This is what you play for. You want to have the ball in this situation, you want to be pitching in the post-season.” The 41-year-old pitcher last appeared in a game during the regular season on September 24 against Boston. This will mark his 26th postseason start and 31st appearance.
Both Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, who missed the Division Series against the Yankees, have been included in Toronto’s ALCS roster. Bassitt showcased his skills by pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief during Monday’s 10-3 loss to the Mariners. Bassitt expressed confidence in Scherzer’s ability, saying, “I expect Max to be Max, in the aspect of just go out there and execute at a very, very high level.”
Despite a recent post-season performance slump, with Scherzer going 0-3 in his last eight starts since the 2019 World Series, he remains determined to excel. Scherzer acknowledged that his pitching fell short of his standards towards the end of the season due to physical challenges. Manager John Schneider revealed that neck pain hampered Scherzer’s performance as the season concluded. Additionally, Scherzer faced a stint on the injured list earlier in the year due to right thumb inflammation.
Having signed a one-year contract worth $15.5 million US with Toronto in February, Scherzer emphasized his commitment to deliver quality regardless of setbacks. The Blue Jays secured a decisive 13-4 victory over the Mariners in Game 3 after losing the initial two games of the series. To extend the series, they need to win at least two out of three games in Seattle and bring the showdown back to Toronto.
Reflecting on the team’s resilience, Scherzer praised the Blue Jays’ fortitude, stating, “We’re a great team. I’ve seen it over and over throughout this year, the number of times we responded in so many different ways.” Recognizing the importance of the upcoming games, Scherzer added, “Yes, we lost two games. Yes, obviously these are must-win games. We all understand what’s at stake.”