The Toronto Blue Jays are preparing for Max Scherzer to bring his usual intensity as he takes the mound in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.
Scherzer expressed his excitement for the postseason challenge, stating, “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.”
The veteran pitcher, aged 41, last pitched in a regular-season game on September 24 against the Boston Red Sox. With an impressive track record of three Cy Young Awards, Scherzer is set to make his 26th postseason start and 31st appearance.
Chris Bassitt, another right-handed pitcher, joined Scherzer on Toronto’s ALCS roster after missing the Division Series against the New York Yankees. Bassitt delivered a strong performance with 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief during Monday night’s game against the Mariners.
Anticipating Scherzer’s performance, Bassitt commented, “I expect Max to be Max, in the aspect of just go out there and execute at a very, very high level.”
Despite recent struggles in postseason starts, Scherzer aims to return to form in the ALCS. He acknowledged that his pitching did not meet his standards towards the end of the regular season and took time to address physical issues. Manager John Schneider revealed that neck pain had hindered Scherzer’s performance, with the pitcher also facing a hiatus earlier in the season due to right thumb inflammation.
In February, Scherzer signed a one-year contract valued at $15.5 million US with the Blue Jays. In the current season, he posted a 5-5 record with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts, marking his 18th season in the majors.
Reflecting on his performance, Scherzer emphasized his determination, stating, “I’m going to win no matter what.”
After a resounding 13-4 victory in Game 3, Toronto aims to rally in Seattle to bring the series back home. Scherzer expressed confidence in the team’s resilience, highlighting their ability to bounce back throughout the season and emphasizing the importance of the upcoming games in the series.