TORONTO — Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider was nonetheless celebrating a comeback victory in Recreation 7 of the American League Championship Collection when three-time Cy Younger Award winner Max Scherzer stopped by with a query: “When am I beginning within the World Collection?”
“I used to be like, ‘Max, I am having fun with a beer, man,'” a smiling Schneider stated earlier than Recreation 2 on Saturday night time. “He is so regimented and desires to know what he is doing.”
Scherzer is aware of now: He’ll get the ball for Toronto in Recreation 3 in opposition to Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow when the World Collection shifts to Southern California on Monday night time with Toronto and Los Angeles tied at one sport apiece. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani will begin for the Dodgers in Recreation 4 in opposition to Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber.
The 41-year-old Scherzer known as it “superior” to get his fifth Collection begin.
“That is what you play for, to have the ability to get to this spot, to get to this second, to have a shot at it,” Scherzer stated. “You simply take into consideration, all through your entire life, all of the various things which have unfolded. Simply so lucky to have one other crack at this. There’s so many nice gamers which have by no means gotten to a World Collection, so many nice gamers the place they solely have one World Collection.”
The fiery Scherzer was left off Toronto’s roster for the Division Collection in opposition to the New York Yankees and has made only one begin for the Blue Jays this postseason. He beat Seattle in Recreation 4 of the ALCS, permitting two runs in 5⅔ innings.
That gave Scherzer his eighth profession postseason win and first since his 2019 World Collection victory with the Washington Nationals.
He additionally grew to become the oldest pitcher to start out a postseason sport since Jamie Moyer, 45, for the Philadelphia Phillies within the 2008 World Collection.
When Schneider made a mound go to within the fifth inning of that Oct. 16 sport in Seattle, Scherzer advised his skipper — in no unsure phrases — that he had little interest in popping out at that time. Schneider left Scherzer within the sport.
Scherzer went 7-0 in 11 begins for the Dodgers in 2021 after being acquired on the commerce deadline, and made a giant impression on supervisor Dave Roberts.
“He is considered one of one,” Roberts stated. “Nice competitor. Do not need to contact him throughout outings, do not need to pat him on the bottom. Desires to be the man. I actually loved managing a future Corridor of Famer. He is very sensible. He is a baseball participant first, then a pitcher. It may be a great check for us in Recreation 3.”
Glasnow has made two begins and one reduction look for the Dodgers this October. He is 0-0 with a 0.68 ERA, permitting one run in 13⅓ innings.