Max Scherzer Delivers Memorable Game for Blue Jays
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By Doug Hirdle
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Summary
- The Toronto Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer threw 114 pitches on three days’ rest, allowing one run and striking out seven against the Cincinnati Reds.
- The 42-year-old received a standing ovation from 42,131 fans before his final start of the season at Rogers Centre.
- Scherzer has yet to decide whether he will return for a 20th MLB season in 2027.
While still not sure whether Sunday would be his final game in a Major League Baseball uniform, Max Scherzer certainly gave Toronto Blue Jays fans a memorable farewell.
Pitching on only three days’ rest, the 42-year-old struck out seven over seven-plus innings and earned the 225th victory of his career as the Blue Jays defeated the Cincinnati Reds 5-1 at Rogers Centre.
Scherzer: “That Was Amazing”
Scherzer threw a season-high 114 pitches, 77 of them for strikes. He allowed six hits and one run, walked one and kept going deep into the game despite the short turnaround from his previous start.
That was amazing. The adrenaline starts kicking in, the fans start getting in, and that’s when I could start feeding off of the crowd here at the Rogers Centre. I really could just reach back and just felt like I was unlimited.
The sellout crowd of 42,131 gave Scherzer a standing ovation before the first pitch. His teammates including Bateman who returned from injury stayed in the dugout as he walked to the mound alone, allowing the veteran pitcher to acknowledge the fans before saluting them with a wave.
More Emotional Moments Late in the Game
Scherzer was allowed to finish the seventh inning after Blue Jays manager John Schneider initially came out with two outs. Fans booed Schneider when he approached the mound, then cheered when Scherzer remained in the game and retired Will Banfield.
When Schneider returned after Scherzer walked Oswaldo Cabrera to begin the eighth, the decision was finally made.
It was the weakest call to the bullpen ever for me. I kind of used my pinky.
Scherzer smiled as he handed over the ball and walked off to another loud ovation. He later climbed into the stands to embrace his wife and children.
For Scherzer, the performance also added another milestone to an extraordinary career. His seven strikeouts pushed his career total to 3,557, leaving him ninth on baseball’s all-time strikeout list, three behind Justin Verlander.
The right-hander said he gave himself every chance to perform after his previous start, skipping his bullpen session and upper-body weightlifting following a 93-pitch outing in Baltimore on Wednesday.
He finished one out short of 85 innings for the season, the threshold that would have triggered a $1 million bonus. He had already earned bonuses for reaching 65 and 75 innings.
What’s Next for Scherzer?
Scherzer has not decided whether he wants to play a 20th major league season in 2027. He said he plans to step away from baseball during the offseason before making that decision.
When you get away from baseball, you get a little bit more clarity of your decision-making.
Whatever he decides, his two seasons in Toronto have left an impression on the Blue Jays.
I told Max on the mound when he was coming out, ‘Thank you for letting me be part of your unbelievable career,’ And I wouldn’t want any other 42-year-old psychopath on my team other than you.
For now, Max Scherzer leaves the 2026 season with another win, another standing ovation and another reminder of why his teammates and opponents have respected him for so long.
Doug Hirdle
Author
betting.ca
