Toronto Blue Jays trust in Max Scherzer shows why they always win as a team with everything on the line
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays trust future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer in a pivotal Game 4 versus the Seattle Mariners.
In his first postseason start nearly 15 years ago, Max Scherzer shut the Yankees down in 2011, helping the Tigers even the ALDS and ultimately win the series.
Nearly a decade and a half later, he has a chance to even another series, and while experience has changed Scherzer's perspective on many things, it hasn't diminished his excitement for what's next.
«I love it,» he said. «This is what you play for. You want to have the ball in this situation, you want to be pitching in the post-season. Every game in the post-season's a must-win, so when you step on the field in these situations, you've got to bring it, you've got to have your A game.»
Thursday night at T-Mobile Park, Scherzer will have the chance to add to a post-season resume that includes a 3.78 ERA in 143 innings on the way to two World Series rings.
With the Blue Jays trailing the American League Championship Series 2-1 it's not technically a must-win game, but it's still pivotal. Another win would put the Blue Jays just two wins away from the World Series, while a loss would put them a win away from elimination.
Within the Toronto Blue Jays' clubhouse, there's trust in Scherzer
«I didn't know him 15 years ago,» Davis Schneider said after the Blue Jays' Game 3 win. «But I feel like he's been the same guy ever since he debuted. That competitiveness that he has and his stuff is so electric. He's as good as anyone when he's on the mound and I'm confident he's going to pitch a gem."
«I've seen him in that kind of mode,» added Myles Straw. «And, I don't think there's going to be anyone more prepared.»
Lefty Eric Lauer who was great as a starter for the Blue Jays early in the season, who was bumped from his spot in the rotation and regulated to bullpen duties in August agreed.
«I'm really excited,» he said. «It's always fun to watch him flip that switch into game mode. He's been doing it a long time. He's unlike any other pitcher, and you expect great things.» - Eric Lauer
This morning on First Up, former Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson shared what makes Mad Max Scherzer special and why he will give the Jays a good chance to win tonight.
"I'm gonna die in this uniform and you're gonna have to take it off of me"
This morning on #FirstUp, former Blue Jays reliever @Erik_Swanson03 shared what makes Mad Max Scherzer special and why he will give the Jays a good chance to win tonight. #WANTITALL
This morning on #FirstUp, former Blue Jays reliever @Erik_Swanson03 shared what makes Mad Max Scherzer special and why he will give the Jays a good chance to win tonight. #WANTITALL
"He's a Hall of Famer, so he knows what to expect," said Addison Barger. "He'll be prepared. We trust that."
Along with the preparation, Scherzer knows himself well after all these years and uses that to his advantage. Early in his career, someone told the right-hander to stay calm.
«Yeah, I'm not going to stay calm,» recalled Scherzer, intense as ever at age 41. «That's not good advice for me. No, you've got to kind of match the moment. You've got to know who you are, who you are when you go out there, and match that type of moment with your adrenaline. So that's how I pitch.»
"I'm expecting Max to be Mad Max." - George Springer on Max Scherzer ahead of his Game 4 start 👀
When the Blue Jays arrived in Seattle, they were playing poorly. One game later, they're playing great.
Scherzer, of all people, knows that could flip again within the span of a couple of innings. But with the Blue Jays' season hanging in the balance Thursday, he has a chance to make sure it doesn't.
«It never gets old,» he said.
Source: Sportsnet
Credit: Ben Nicholson-Smith
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