On a night in which 40-year-old Joe Flacco battled with 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers over in the NFL, 41-year-old Max Scherzer put on a show of his own in the ALCS.
The future Hall of Famer gave the Toronto Blue Jays the start they needed as they attempted to even up the series in Seattle, holding the Seattle Mariners to two runs and only three hits over 5.2 innings of work.
The impressive performance was quite a turnaround for Scherzer, who posted a 9.00 ERA over his final six starts of the regular season -- including one in which he allowed a 7-spot and didn't finish the first inning. The Blue Jays left Scherzer off their ALDS roster but added him for the ALCS knowing they couldn't rely as heavily on their bullpen.
Here's a closer look at Scherzer's start against the Mariners in Game 4 of the ALCS.
MORE: Breaking down Max Scherzer's career timeline
Max Scherzer stats vs. Mariners
Scherzer isn't going to last seven or eight innings like he regularly did during his peak, but he gave the Blue Jays what they asked of him on Thursday night:
- Innings: 5.2
- Earned runs: 2
- Hits: 3
- Walks: 4
- Strikeouts: 5
- Pitches: 87
Scherzer worked around a couple of walks in the first inning and allowed a solo home run to Josh Naylor in the second, but he settled in from there. The Blue Jays quickly gave him a lead to work with, and he preserved it as long as he was in the game.
Max Scherzer, Wicked 77mph Curveball. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/rfCsjHE7Ol
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 17, 2025
Fans got to see a glimpse of vintage Scherzer, but not necessarily in his strikeout total. The 41-year-old channeled some of his signature passion by yelling at manager John Schneider in an effort to stay in the game in the fifth inning. Like anyone who would have to face Scherzer's wrath, Schneider relented and let him finish the inning.
Max Scherzer was NOT about to let John Schneider take him out of this game pic.twitter.com/bnz22LrIUx
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 17, 2025
Schneider actually brought Scherzer back out for the sixth inning, but he was lifted after issuing one more walk and was charged with another earned run after Mason Fluharty entered the game. After the game, Schneider joked to reporters about the mount visit, "I thought he was going to kill me. It was great."
Only eight pitchers older than Scherzer have ever started a postseason game, with those eight combining for 20 starts at an age older than his 41 years and 81 days. Of those 20 starts, 12 saw two earned runs or fewer allowed. Scherzer didn't necessarily miss bats the way he once did, but he got more outs than many might have expected and preserved the lead for Toronto.
Here's a look at how Scherzer did make a bit of history with his four strikeouts in Game 4.
MORE: Inside Blue Jays' World Series history
Most strikeouts in MLB playoff history
Scherzer jumped to fifth on the all-time postseason strikeout list on Thursday, jumping Roger Clemens.
| Pitcher | Postseason strikeouts |
| Justin Verlander | 244 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 213 |
| John Smoltz | 199 |
| Andy Pettitte | 183 |
| Max Scherzer | 176 |
| Roger Clemens | 173 |
| Gerrit Cole | 156 |
| Mike Mussina | 145 |
Scherzer's 17 strikeouts in the playoffs trail only Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, John Smoltz and Andy Pettitte. All four pitchers above him have won the World Series, and all but Pettitte are either in the Hall of Fame or on track to be a Hall of Famer.
Scherzer will have a place in Cooperstown as well when all is said and done. After his Game 4 start, though, he could still have a chance to make a run at Pettitte for fourth on the leaderboard.