In the tense silence of the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse, following a 2-0 deficit against the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), veteran pitcher Max Scherzer shared his wisdom. With close to two decades of experience in Major League Baseball, Scherzer acknowledged the unpredictable nature of postseason baseball. “All of a sudden, this is a three-game series out in Seattle and that can be a completely different set of circumstances,” he noted. Despite the disappointing start to the series, he emphasized the potential for rapid change, saying, “As disappointing as these first two games were, this is baseball; things can change on a dime.”
Indeed, fortunes swiftly changed, as the Blue Jays surged to a 2-2 tie in the best-of-seven series after an emphatic 8-2 victory over the Mariners. Scherzer, making a significant return to the mound after a three-week absence, delivered a stellar performance reminiscent of his prime. His appearance was marked by intense energy, showcasing his competitive spirit through aggressive interplay with manager John Schneider and powerful digs from the mound.
Alongside Scherzer's impressive outing, standout performances from teammates added to the momentum. A crucial two-run homer from Andres Gimenez, as well as additional runs scored late in the game, including a solo shot from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., contributed to leveling the series. With the outcome, the championship series shifted to a best-of-three, setting the stage for a rematch between Kevin Gausman and Bryce Miller in Game 5.
Despite facing elimination earlier in the series, Scherzer's return was pivotal for the Blue Jays, who were met with astonishment by a crowd of 46,981 at T-Mobile Park. After being left off the roster for the ALDS victory over the New York Yankees, Scherzer had the chance to physically recuperate during his downtime. A lingering neck injury had previously hampered his ability to pitch effectively, impacting both his command and pitch quality. However, he demonstrated his readiness for postseason action when evaluated during a simulated game the week before.
“If we weren’t comfortable with him being normal, he wouldn’t have been on the roster,” Schneider commented, highlighting the team’s confidence in Scherzer's capacity to perform.
Scherzer's dominant presence was felt immediately, as he set the tone during the first inning by throwing his fastest pitch of the season at 96.5 miles per hour. Although he surrendered a home run to Josh Naylor that briefly put the Mariners ahead 1-0, he quickly regained momentum as the Blue Jays’ offense came alive against Luis Castillo.
The game turned decisively in favor of the Blue Jays after Isiah Kiner-Falefa opened the second inning with a double, followed by Gimenez’s two-run homer that propelled Toronto into a 2-1 lead. The offense continued to surge throughout the game, with further contributions including a bases-loaded walk from Daulton Varsho and an RBI double from George Springer, ultimately leading to a 5-1 advantage.
In an impressive display, Scherzer maintained his composure and effectiveness throughout his outing. He erased a leadoff walk in the third with a pickoff, held the Mariners scoreless in the fourth, and delivered a memorable moment in the fifth when he animatedly protested a manager visit before striking out Randy Arozarena.
By the sixth inning, Scherzer had recorded crucial outs and departed the game after allowing a walk to Polanco. While relief pitcher Mason Fluharty faced challenges, the defense stepped up, and the Blue Jays secured the win, building on their success from the previous game.
With their determined performance and Scherzer’s vintage execution, the ALCS took an unexpected turn, guaranteeing at least one more game in Toronto, illustrating once again the unpredictable and thrilling nature of postseason baseball.
