Picture this: a 41-year-old pitcher stepping onto the mound in a high-stakes playoff game, defying Father Time and delivering a stellar performance that could turn the tide of a championship series. That's exactly what Max Scherzer did for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Seattle Mariners in Game 4 of the ALCS, securing an 8-2 victory and tying the series at two games each. But here's where it gets controversial – can we really call this a 'vintage' comeback, or is it more of a fleeting spark in a career winding down? Let's unpack six fascinating details about Scherzer's standout outing, and see if it challenges our notions of aging in professional sports.
With the Blue Jays desperate for a win to even the American League Championship Series, they entrusted the ball to the esteemed right-hander Max Scherzer (you can check out his MLB profile here: https://www.mlb.com/player/453286) on Thursday evening at T-Mobile Park. At 41 years old, this was Scherzer's 500th career start, counting both regular-season and postseason appearances. And this is the part most people miss – despite a rocky finish to his regular season and over three weeks without throwing a pitch, Scherzer didn't just show up; he unleashed his iconic 'Mad Max' intensity in a dominant display. For a deeper dive into that fiery mound visit, read this article: https://www.mlb.com/news/max-scherzer-john-schneider-mound-visit-alcs-game-4.
He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowed just two runs, and racked up five strikeouts, leading Toronto to triumph – his first playoff victory in six years, dating back to Game 1 of the 2019 World Series with the Nationals. If you're following the full postseason action, here's the updated schedule and bracket: https://www.mlb.com/news/2025-mlb-playoff-and-world-series-schedule.
Now, let's break down six key insights into Scherzer's remarkable ALCS Game 4 effort, explained in a way that's easy for baseball newcomers to grasp.
A Journey Across the Majors: When Scherzer took the field in ALCS Game 4, it marked his inaugural postseason start for the Blue Jays, following stints in the playoffs with the Tigers, Nationals, Dodgers, Mets, and Rangers. This achievement places him among the elite, as the fifth player in MLB annals (learn more at: https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-players-who-played-in-the-postseason-with-the-most-teams) to compete in the postseason for six different franchises. To put it simply, Scherzer is the only one on that list who has started games on the mound in these playoffs for all six teams. The other pitcher in this exclusive group, David Wells, only appeared in relief for one of them – ironically, with the Blue Jays. Imagine the travel stories he could tell!
Triumphing Against the Years: Scherzer didn't merely take the mound at 41; he showcased that experience can trump youth in baseball. He became the fourth starting pitcher ever to secure a postseason win at age 41 or beyond, alongside legends like Roger Clemens (who had five such wins from 2003-05), Kenny Rogers (three in 2006), and Dennis Martinez (one in 1995). At precisely 41 years and 81 days, Scherzer ranks as the ninth-oldest starting pitcher to claim a playoff victory. The most recent pitcher of similar age to achieve this was Rogers, at 41 years and 337 days, in Game 3 of the 2006 ALCS for the Tigers. For the Blue Jays, Scherzer is the second-oldest player to suit up in a postseason game, surpassed only by LaTroy Hawkins, who appeared in three games for Toronto at 42 in 2015. Additionally, at 41 years and 81 days, he's the oldest to pitch in a playoff since Fernando Rodney at 42 years and 222 days in the 2019 World Series Game 4 – and fun fact, Scherzer and Rodney were teammates on that Nationals team. When Scherzer left after two outs in the sixth inning, his reliever was Mason Fluharty, who was just 10 years old when Scherzer made his postseason debut with the Tigers in Game 2 of the 2011 ALDS. It's a stark reminder of how time flies in sports.
Teaming Up with Cy Young Royalty: The Blue Jays witnessed back-to-back wins from starting pitchers who are former Cy Young Award winners – Shane Bieber in Game 3 and Scherzer in Game 4. (For those new to baseball, the Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitcher in each league, based on their outstanding performance.) According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is only the ninth occurrence of a team having former Cy Young starters win consecutive postseason games. The most recent examples were Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel for the Astros in 2017. Before that, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz pulled it off in three straight games for the Braves in 1997. Glavine and Maddux had four such streaks in 1993, '95, and '96. The pioneering pair? Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax back in 1965. It's like assembling a pitching dream team from baseball history!
Reversing the Clock: Right from the first pitch, Scherzer brought the heat in a big way. His sixth delivery was a blistering 96.5 mph four-seam fastball to Cal Raleigh – his quickest pitch since June 24, 2023, when he hit 96.6 mph against the Phillies while with the Mets. Overall, his fastball averaged 94.2 mph, matching his season-high for velocity in a single game. But here's where it gets interesting – he also turned his curveball into a surprise secret weapon, collecting six swings and misses. Before this game, he'd never notched more than five misses on his curveball in one outing. In fact, he threw 10 curveballs, and Mariners batters chased every single one. This marks only the second time in his career he's prompted 10 swings on his curveball in a game – the first? Also against the Mariners, on June 1, 2014, during his Tigers days. It's proof that even veteran pitchers can rediscover old tricks.
A Pickoff Rarity: With one out in the third inning's bottom half, Scherzer spun and threw a pickoff to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., catching Leo Rivas in the act (with video review confirming it). Not only was this his first successful pickoff in 31 postseason appearances, but his first ever in over nine years. His last one came on Aug. 30, 2016, with the Nationals, nabbing Freddy Galvis stealing from second to third. And the last time he picked off a runner at first? More than 12 years ago, on Sept. 15, 2013, with the Tigers, against the Royals' Emilio Bonifacio. For the Blue Jays, the previous starting pitcher credited with a postseason pickoff was Jimmy Key, way back in Game 4 of the 1992 World Series against the Braves. This adds a layer of strategy – is the pickoff an underrated skill in modern baseball, or just a novelty?
Overcoming Adversity: This powerful Scherzer performance seemed to arrive out of thin air. In his final six regular-season starts, he posted a 9.00 ERA (which, for beginners, means earned run average – a measure of how many runs he allowed per nine innings, with higher numbers indicating struggles). That's why he was excluded from the ALDS roster against the Yankees. His most recent outing before this game was on Sept. 24, where he gave up four runs over five innings to the Red Sox. Prior to Game 4, Scherzer hadn't completed at least 5 2/3 innings since Aug. 25, and he hadn't managed that while limiting runs to two or fewer since Aug. 19. It's a classic underdog story – does this prove that veterans can bounce back, or should teams be wary of relying on aging stars?
Scherzer's ALCS Game 4 heroics raise some intriguing debates: Is his age-defying success a testament to skill and determination, or simply a lucky break? And in an era of analytics and youth-focused rosters, does his journey inspire hope for older players, or highlight the inevitable toll of time? What do you think – should baseball embrace more 'seasoned' talent like Scherzer, or is it time to pass the torch? Share your opinions in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own counterpoints!
