TORONTO — When the Toronto Blue Jays secured a trip to the World Series, veteran pitcher Max Scherzer was excited to get another chance to play in the Fall Classic.
Scherzer will be Toronto's starter in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday when Major League Baseball moves to Los Angeles, meaning he will be in the World Series for the fourth time.
The teams split the first two games in Toronto, with the Jays winning Game 1 11–4 and the defending champion Dodgers coming back in Game 2 with a 5–1 score.
Scherzer, 41, said it was “amazing” when Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed he would return to the mound on the game's biggest stage.
“That's what you play for, to be able to get to this point, to get to this point to try to do it,” Scherzer said before Game 2 at Rogers Center. “There are so many great players who have never been to a World Series, so many great players who have only had one World Series.
“I have a lot of respect for being in the World Series and what it means, and I really appreciate these opportunities. When I get a chance to get the ball, man, it means everything.”
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The right-hander has a 221-117 record in 18 MLB seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles, New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Toronto. His career earned run average is 3.22 with 3,489 strikeouts.
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Scherzer has won the Cy Young Award three times, being named the best pitcher in the American League in 2013 with Detroit and then in the National League in 2016 and 2017 with Washington. He is an eight-time All-Star and has won the World Series twice, at the Nationals and at Texas.
But more than that, Scherzer is a fan of the game and its history.
“Every time you think you can understand baseball and put it into an equation, baseball has a funny way of shaking it up and making you look at the game in a completely different way,” Scherzer said. “You can’t turn baseball into an equation.
“You just have to come in every day ready to play. Anything can happen.”
Scherzer was left out of Toronto's lineup for the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, but was then inserted into Game 4 of the AL Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners on October 16. He won the game in Seattle, allowing two runs and striking out five in 5 2/3 innings.
Schneider said it was a pleasure working with the energetic Scherzer, who earned the nickname “Mad Max” during his career for his violent outbursts on and off the field.
“He asked what we were doing after Game 7, and I said, 'Max, I'm enjoying the beer, man,'” Schneider laughed. “He’s so regimented and wants to know what he’s doing (because) he’s been through it too.
“He stepped on mines, dodged them in the World Series, in a seven-game series. “That's my point. Here's my review. What do you think? Fine. When will I give up my side?”
Schneider also named Shane Bieber the Blue Jays' starter for Game 4 on Tuesday. Schneider explained some of the strategies behind his starting pitch selection Saturday afternoon.
“I think I just want Max to not rest too long after his last outing, but still give him some rest,” Schneider said. “He's pitching in this environment (Dodger Stadium), it's going to be a lot of noise, Game 3 like yesterday, or any game in this series.
“He's in this stadium. It allows him to be in Game 7.”
Dodger manager Dave Roberts announced Saturday that Tyler Glasnow will take the mound in Game 3 and superstar Shohei Ohtani will start Game 4.
Roberts also worked as Scherzer's manager when he was in Los Angeles, and he laughed when asked what that was like.
“Max. He's one of one. A great competitor. I don't want to touch him on walks, I don't want to pat him on the back,” Roberts said. “Wants to be the guy. I really enjoyed managing the future Hall of Famer. He's very smart. He's very smart.”
“He's a baseball player first and a pitcher second.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
