After the Toronto Blue Jays traveled to Seattle, they decided to start legendary pitcher Max Scherzer in Game 4.

After the initial two games of the ALCS between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, the Blue Jays are facing a 0-2 deficit. The team revealed that 41-year-old ace Max Scherzer will be the starting pitcher for Game 4.

The 41-year-old Scherzer signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jays for $15.5 million this past February. This season, he battled inflammation in his right thumb, appearing in 17 games with a 5-5 record and a 5.19 ERA, marking the worst performance of his career, a significant decline compared to his 3.57 ERA during his time with the Rangers over the previous two years. Nevertheless, Scherzer brings extensive postseason experience, having won the World Series twice — once with the Nationals in 2019 and again with the Rangers in 2023. Although he was not included in the roster for the AL Division Series, he is now on the ALCS roster, and Game 4 will mark his first postseason appearance this year. His last playoff outing was with the Texas Rangers in 2023. This will be his 26th career postseason start and 31st overall playoff appearance. Since the first game of the 2019 World Series, Scherzer’s last eight playoff starts have resulted in an 0-3 record, including a 1-3 record and a 9.00 ERA in his last six starts in 2023.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider commented on starting Scherzer in Game 4: "There’s a reason he’s a Hall of Fame-level player. We believe Scherzer is ready and can step up when it counts."

The starting pitchers for Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS have been announced. For Game 3, the Blue Jays will start former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber, while the Mariners will counter with star pitcher George Kirby. In Game 4, Scherzer will take the mound for Toronto, and the Mariners will send 32-year-old right-hander Luis Castillo to the mound.

Scherzer’s last official pitching appearance was on September 25 near the end of the regular season, where he pitched only 15 innings across four starts in September with a high 10.20 ERA. Since then, he has continued throwing sessions and simulated games. Blue Jays manager John Schneider remains confident in this soon-to-be Hall of Famer and Cy Young winner.