At 41, Scherzer shoves for 5 2/3 must-have frames as Toronto mauls Seattle 8–2 in Game 4

SEATTLE – NETNEWSLEDGER SPORTS — Write the obit later. Max Scherzer isn’t done yet. In a series where the home crowd can’t buy a win, the Toronto Blue Jays punched back with an 8–2 statement in Game 4, knotting the ALCS at 2–2 and reminding everyone of the swagger they showed against New York.

For the ladies, if you see lots of older men puffing up their chests and doing a bit of strutting today, it is because Mad Max just showed the world that age doesn’t matter!

For the men, remember, it takes more than mere age to make you a super star!

From first warm-up to final roar, Mad Max was all voltage. He paced. He snarled. He argued with the air. Then he went out and gave Toronto exactly what it needed: 5 2/3 innings, one big blemish — Josh Naylor’s solo shot — and a dugout full of belief.

When manager John Schneider dared to step on the mound with two out in the fifth and Randy Arozarena looming, Scherzer practically growled him back to the dirt. One pitch later, slider, strike three, fist to glove, lion tamed. Ballgame tone set.

“He locked eyes with me — both colours — and made it clear he was staying,” Schneider cracked afterward. “That’s not an act. He lived it tonight.”

Why It Mattered

• Momentum flip: Jays level the series in a building where the home team still hasn’t cashed a W.

• Vintage edge: Scherzer hit 96.5 mph in the first — his hottest heater since June 24, 2023 — and even picked off a runner (first since 2016, first ever in the postseason).

• History check: Scherzer becomes the 4th pitcher age 41+ to win a playoff game (Roger Clemens, Kenny Rogers, Dennis Martínez the others).

The Scherzer Effect

This wasn’t perfect; it was necessary. In his 500th MLB start (regular + postseason), Scherzer traded pure polish for pure will, outlasting traffic and tempo to slam the door on doubt — and those fair-weather whispers that the Jays were cooked.

“This is what you play for,” Scherzer said. “You grind all year to have these moments.”

Offence Opens the Throttle

While Max set the pulse, Toronto’s bats did the rest, stacking pressure, cashing chances, and running Seattle out of its comfort zone. From early crooked numbers to late tack-ons, the Jays looked more like the club that stormed through the ALDS than the one that staggered to Seattle.

Manager’s Masterclass

Schneider leaned on the human read over the spreadsheet in the game’s hinge moment. Trust the ace. Get the out. Steal the night. Sometimes October is just that simple.

What’s Next

The ALCS turns into a three-game sprint. Toronto rides into Game 5 with the vibe — and a rested high-leverage bullpen thanks to Max’s length and edge.

Now it is up to the Blue Jays to break the Home Win jinx in this series and get down and dirty for another win.

Play Ball!