The Toronto Blue Jays are counting on Max Scherzer to bring his usual fiery and competitive self to the mound for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against Seattle.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Scherzer stated, “I love it. This is what you play for. You want to have the ball in this situation, you want to be pitching in the post-season.”
At 41 years old, Scherzer’s last game was his regular-season start on September 24 against Boston. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, he is set to make his 26th postseason start and his 31st appearance overall.
Both Scherzer and fellow pitcher Chris Bassitt were included in Toronto’s ALCS roster after missing the Division Series against the Yankees. Bassitt showcased his skills by pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings during Monday night’s game against the Mariners.
Bassitt expressed his confidence in Scherzer, stating, “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 slump in his postseason performance, Scherzer remains determined to excel. He acknowledged some struggles towards the end of the season and took the necessary time to address his physical condition. Manager John Schneider revealed that neck pain had hindered Scherzer’s performance in the latter part of the season. Additionally, Scherzer had a hiatus from pitching due to right thumb inflammation earlier in the year.
Signing a one-year contract worth $15.5 million US with the Blue Jays in February, Scherzer had a mixed record this season, going 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts. Despite facing setbacks, Scherzer emphasized his determination to compete fiercely whenever he takes the mound.
Following two initial losses in the ALCS, the Blue Jays bounced back with a resounding 13-4 victory over the Mariners in Game 3. To secure their spot in the series, they need to win at least two of the three games in Seattle.
Scherzer emphasized the team’s resilience, 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. We had so many comeback wins. We’ve played great ball. Yes, we lost two games. Yes, obviously these are must-win games. We all understand what’s at stake.”