What makes Max Scherzer the Jays man for Game 3? And is he really Mad?

Breadcrumb Trail Links

SportsBaseballMLBToronto Blue Jays Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Sign Up

Published Oct 26, 2025  •  Last updated 1 day ago  •  6 minute read

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer celebrates at the end of fifth inning MLB American League Championship Series Game 4 baseball action against the Mariners, in Seattle, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Frank Gunn /The Canadian PressArticle content

LOS ANGELES — In his one full season living the full-on Max Scherzer experience, Blue Jays manager John Schneider can pull off a quality impersonation of the future Hall of Famer that brings laughs all around.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors

Article content

Schneider has the tone, cadence, intensity and vocabulary of the larger-than-life pitching personality down to a tee.

Article content

Article content

And now, having spent hundreds of hours listening to Scherzer baseball sermons in his office this season, as the World Series shifts to SoCal for Games 3-5, Schneider is entrusting that 41-year-old right arm to help the Jays wrestle back control of the best-of-seven series as Monday night’s starting pitcher..

Seen as a bold move by some, the manager knows that every fibre of Scherzer’s renowned competitive personality will be on display when he ascends the Dodger Stadium mound in the bottom half of Monday’s first inning.

“When we won Game 7 (in the ALCS), he was already (in my office) talking about (the World Series),” Schneider said, then explaining the manic, half-curious, half-lobbying discourse that quickly emerged, rat-a-tat-tat from Scherzer. “But he’s so cool in these situations because he’s been through it.

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“He was like: ‘I know the land mines. I’ve stepped on them. I’ve dodged them and I know what to do.’”

The landmines are plenty for Scherzer’s biggest assignment with the Jays, of course. The Dodgers, after a 5-1 Game 2 win at the Rogers Centre on Saturday, are now 10-2 this post-season, which has established them as serious favourites to become the first team in 25 years to capture back-to-back Fall Classics.

But first they have to get past Scherzer who, as you would expect, is fired-up at the assignment that awaits.

“I absolutely respect playing in a World Series, what that means and absolutely cherish these opportunities,” said Scherzer, who will become the first player to pitch in the World Series for four different teams. “So, yeah, when I get a chance to get the ball, man, this means everything.”

Your Midday Sun

Your noon-hour look at what’s happening in Toronto and beyond.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Thanks for signing up!

A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.

Article content

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

While not everything — given the Jays’ proven ability to bounce back both in games and in these playoffs — much is on the line in Game 3 when the Chavez Ravine stop in the series gets under way.

Here’s what to watch for from the Scherzer experience, explainer style, as the Jays look to rebound from their Game 2 defeat:

 WHY MAX FOR GAME 3?

No, it didn’t have anything to do with that intense showdown on the mound between Schneider and Scherzer in the pivotal Game 4 of the ALCS at Seattle, although that summit was classic behaviour from the veteran and a source of great amusement in the Jays clubhouse.

Rather, the manager explains that the choice came from the Jays’ belief that the veteran righty is the best option beyond the front end of the rotation these playoffs that has been Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage.

Advertisement 5

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

The case certainly can be made that the Jays have more trust in Scherzer than they do in Shane Bieber, who got knocked around by the Mariners early in Game 7 of the ALCS. Schneider also hinted that Scherzer could be better equipped to handle the expected frenzy of Monday’s clash at Dodger Stadium.

“I didn’t want to hold Max off too long and the setting of that environment (at Dodger Stadium) too,” Schneider said. “With that being more hoopla to deal with, I think Max can navigate that pretty well and it gives Shane an extra day.”

While not carved in stone, it also sets up Scherzer to get the ball back in Toronto for Game 7, should the series go the distance.

IS MAX REALLY MAD?

Short answer? Probably not, though the nickname is well-earned

Advertisement 6

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

That said, his mound presence and renowned intensity have been the stuff of growing legend throughout his brilliant career.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who lived the Scherzer experience in L.A., just as Schneider has this year, has an inside view of what makes the three-time Cy Young Award winner tick.

“It’s very focussed,” Roberts said of Scherzer’s deep and intense preparations for a start, which he came to know when the two were together in L.A., four years ago. “It’s very intentional. He does a lot of homework and he’s very prepared. He asks a lot of questions, a lot of it from a hitter’s perspective, which is really smart.

“He wants to know what hitters think, so he’s very unique that way.”

But what about that look, that stare, those different coloured eyes that can burn a hole through you? After that summit with Schneider in Game 4 against the Mariners, several Blue Jays players were bemused by the showdown.

Advertisement 7

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

The manager was the first to say it, but many of his teammates echoed the sentiment: They were waiting all season for the vaunted Scherzer near-explosion. While they love him on non-starting days, everyone who has spent time around Scherzer is aware that when he paints on his game face, you don’t even want to make eye contact.

“Max … he’s one of one,” Roberts said laughing. “Great competitor. Don’t want to touch him during outings, don’t want to pat him on the back side. Wants to be the guy. Yeah, it’s going to be a good test for us in Game 3.”

DOES SCHERZER HAVE ONE MORE IN HIM?

If his effort in Game 4 of the ALCS, trying to keep the Mariners from gaining a 3-1 stranglehold on the series, is a harbinger, then yes he does.

After his only start this of this post-season — he was left off the Jays ALDS roster, remember — Scherzer talked about how fresh his arm was and how the extended time off had helped.

Advertisement 8

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

And now he brings the full-on Mad Max experience to Dodger Stadium for his first post-season start in L.A. since taking the ball for the home side in Game 3 of the 2021 NLDS.

His teammates certainly believe he’s capable, with an anticipation that the legendary intensity he brings is almost made for moments such as Monday.

“Experience plays a huge part when it comes to the late post-season rounds,” Jays closer Jeff Hoffman told Postmedia. “We get the privilege of watching him every day go about his business and seeing what he’s all about and how he’s gotten to the point he’s at.

“We wouldn’t rather have anybody else on the mound in a do or die. He’s been around. He’s seen everything.”

The season itself has been a wild ride for Scherzer. He battled injuries and a miserable September in which his ERA ballooned to 10.20 and you had to wonder if his career was done. That sentiment was furthered when he wasn’t included on the Jays’ ALDS roster, but was then blown out of the water when he rose again for the ALCS, allowing just three hits and a pair of runs in his 5.2 innings of wizardry that helped even the series at two wins apiece.

Advertisement 9

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

And now on to the big one, where Scherzer’s teammates are, not surprisingly, expecting big things.

“Hopefully Max Max,” DH George Springer said when asked what he anticipates from the mound on Monday. “Everybody sees him as a competitor. Obviously, we saw what he did his last start. So hopefully, he can go be who he is.”

BUT WILL IT BE ENOUGH?

It was only one game, yes, but if Game 2 showed us anything, it’s that the Dodgers’ starting pitching juggernaut is legit true to its billing.

The Jays did get to Blake Snell, and that was impressive, in Game 1. They were completely shut down by Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2 though, after the Japanese flamethrower unleashed a gem, retiring the final 20 Toronto batters he faced.

And now it’s on to Tyler Glasnow followed by a Game 4 start from none other than Shohei Ohtani, who struck out 10 in shutting down the Brewers in an NLCS-clinching performance.

What does that have to do with Scherzer? With a good chance that runs will be at a premium, they’re going to need the type of quality start that Gausman provided in a losing cause in Game 2.

Whatever the case, and however much success the dangerous Dodgers hitters have in attacking him, you can bet it will be a show.

“I’m here to win and I’ve got a clubhouse full of guys who want to win, too,” said Scherzer, deflecting the attention from himself and a bid to win a third World Series and do so for a third team. “We’re a great team and, really, that’s the only thing that I need to think about.”

Article content

Share this article in your social network