Max Scherzer proves he's on a mission, fueled by Game 7 World Series loss

Max Scherzer has only made one start this season — against a very bad Colorado Rockies team — so it's best not to read too much into any of his stats or metrics. Still, it's hard not to be wildly encouraged by the 41-year-old's performance, especially seeing as he looks completely healthy for the first time in ages.

“You never get over it. Not that one. Nor should we. That's how important winning a World Series is to all of us,” Scherzer said before the outing. It's clear the team's heartbreaking Gam 7 loss is what fueled him to return to the Toronto Blue Jays this year, and hopefully that passion will spread to the rest of the team after losing two of three to the hapless Rockies.

Max Scherzer's 2026 debut gives Blue Jays' decimated pitching staff much-needed reprieve

The injuries that have ransacked the starting rotation have been unceasing. You could literally make an entire starting five (and a competitive one at that) from the starting pitchers the Blue Jays have lost to this point in the season.

Cody Ponce was the latest to fall victim, suffering an ACL sprain that could keep him sidelined for months. He joined José Berrios, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and Bowden Francis on the injured list after exiting his Blue Jays debut early.

There's really no telling what will come next for the rotation, but it's safe to say the team is counting their lucky stars that Scherzer opted to return. His Game 7 start last year was gutsy, and having his veteran presence around in the locker room should keep the pitching staff from unraveling entirely.

That's especially true if he pitches as well as he did against the Rockies. Over six innings, the three-time Cy Young Award winner allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out four. His lone blemish came in the top of the sixth, when All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman hit a solo homer.

Besides his much-improved velocity, what stood out was his pitch usage. There was a healthier dose of sliders and curves (42% combined usage) than he utilized last year, a solid bit of evidence that he's finally put his lingering thumb issues behind him.

As you might expect from a breaking-ball-heavy diet, Scherzer was also far more adept at generating chases from Rockies batters; there's something to be said for facing a young and fledgling lineup, but it's clear that this version of Mad Max is more complete than the compromised version we got in 2025.

Hopefully, this success continues forward. The Blue Jays' depleted rotation is in dire straits and really needs some more vintage outings from their elder statesman.