The Toronto Blue Jays have chosen Max Scherzer to start Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night, a move filled with both excitement and uncertainty as the seasoned pitcher gears up for his first playoff appearance with the Blue Jays.
At 41 years old, Scherzer boasts an impressive career spanning 17 seasons in Major League Baseball. However, his performance during the 2025 season with Toronto was far from consistent, finishing with a mixed record of 5 wins, 5 losses, a 5.19 ERA, and 82 strikeouts over 85 innings. Fans and experts are eager to see which version of the three-time Cy Young Award winner will take the mound in Game 4.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider emphasized the importance of experience in selecting Scherzer for this crucial matchup, stating, “You want someone who’s been in these moments before.”
Following consecutive losses at home in the first two games, Toronto bounced back with a dominant 13-4 victory over Seattle in Game 3. Key players like Andrés Giménez, George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk, and Addison Barger contributed to the offensive explosion, with the Blue Jays tallying 18 hits.
Despite a turbulent regular season, Scherzer has an extensive postseason track record, including a World Series title with the Washington Nationals in 2019. Having appeared in numerous playoff games, he aims to lead the Blue Jays to success in Game 4 against the Mariners.
Toronto faces a challenging task of leveling the series in Seattle, with Luis Castillo set to pitch for the Mariners, who has yet to concede a run this postseason. The Blue Jays will rely on Scherzer to bring more than just his veteran presence to the mound as they strive to turn the tide in the series.
Keyphrase: Max Scherzer ALCS Game 4