Max Scherzer says he wants to keep playing after Blue Jays’ Game 7 loss – Brandon Sun

TORONTO — Max Scherzer stood at the far end of the gloomy locker room.

The 41-year-old was still reeling from the Toronto Blue Jays' crushing 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series.

Scherzer spoke about the camaraderie between a group of players who captured national attention, the fight they showed throughout the unforgettable series, and the heartbreak of that moment.

The future Hall of Famer also noted that Saturday night's gut-wrenching finale left unfinished business on a personal level.

Scherzer gave his team everything he had to open the winner-take-all finale, giving up one run on four hits and a walk to walk along with three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings of work before leaving Toronto with a 3-1 win at the magnificent Rogers Center.

The bullpen, however, could not hold its own against the big-running Dodgers, who tied the game 4–3 in the top of the ninth inning before winning it in the 11th to capture their second straight Fall Classic.

After that, Scherzer said he feels like he has even more gas in the tank for his upcoming 19th major league season in 2026.

“I'll give a full answer to that question later,” the veteran right-hander said when asked if he wanted to continue playing.

“But I will say this: I just don’t understand why this is the last pitch I’ll ever throw.”

The three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star joined the Jays on a one-year, $15.5 million deal in February. Scherzer suffered a thumb injury early in the schedule and suffered a loss late in the regular season, but produced his usual playoff performance in three starts, including Games 3 and 7 of the World Series.

“He's incredible,” said Toronto third baseman Ernie Clement, who set the major league record for most hits in a season. “I love going toe-to-toe with the guy. He's just a competitor and just a tremendous guy to have around the club. He's a great example for any young player, any of his teammates in how to be ready, how to prepare and how to compete.”

“He's as good as it gets.”

Jays right-hander Shane Bieber, who gave up a home run to Will Smith in the 11th, talked about what Scherzer's super-intense performance meant to the club's surprise run.

“Max is very special to this group (and) to me personally,” Bieber said through tears. “He's a warrior. He's a professional. He shows how to do it day in and day out. His passion for the game is unmatched.”

Before Game 7, Toronto coach John Schneider was asked what Scherzer took with him when he arrived at spring training.

“As competitive as anyone I’ve ever seen,” Schneider said. “He's helped us a lot. I think that personality is what we need.”

Scherzer, who has two World Series rings and nearly 3,500 career strikeouts, said it was a call he'll never forget from Jay.

“I’ve been a part of some special teams,” he said. “This player is on par with all of them in terms of the way we played, the way we looked after each other. I've had that feeling on other teams and it was there on this team.”

And their faith never wavered.

“It's character,” Scherzer said of the stunning finale that saw Toronto come within two outs of glory in the ninth inning. “We always came back. We always found a way to come back. Unfortunately, we needed another one.”

“Proud to be a Blue Jay.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 1, 2025.