Why Mad Max is built for Game 3 of the World Series

Max Scherzer was battling and the Washington Nationals season was on the line. It was Game 7 of the 2019 World Series and Scherzer was doing everything in his control to give the Nationals their first championship in franchise history.

Scherzer missed his prior start due to neck and back spasms, which must have been excruciating knowing his competitiveness as a pitcher. In that deciding game, Yuli Gurriel touched him up for a solo home run in the second inning. Later in that inning with two runners aboard and two outs, George Springer stepped up to the plate looking for a big hit. Alas, Springer couldn't deliver as he lined out sharply to left field. The Astros missed an opportunity to further increase their lead and went 1-8 with runners in scoring position against Scherzer that night.

The Nationals eventually won the World Series after a late rally and Scherzer was a huge contributor. Scherzer is not a stranger to the World Series stage. He's appeared in four Fall Classics with four different teams, most recently with the 2023 Texas Rangers. In all, he has a record of 1-0 with a 3.26 ERA and 19 strikeouts in four World Series appearances during his career.

Why Mad Max is built for Game 3 of the World Series

Now, Scherzer and Springer, the Blue Jays ALCS hero, are on the same team looking to add another ring to their collection. It is one of the reasons Scherzer signed with the Blue Jays this past offseason, so that he could pitch in another World Series. Blue Jays fans know that Scherzer is a competitor who is doing everything possible to win and he was ready to go the moment the ALCS ended.

Max Scherzer asked John Schneider during the ALCS Game 7 celebration when he’d be starting in the World Series and the Blue Jays skipper responded with, "Max, I’m enjoying a beer, man.” Playful banter aside, it seems like Scherzer has been thinking about this start ever since he last stepped off the mound in Game 4 of the ALCS against Seattle.

Scherzer's start in Game 3 of the World Series will be taking place against his former team in the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows that Scherzer could give his star-studded lineup a really difficult time.

"He's one of one. Great competitor... He wants to be the guy, and so I really enjoyed managing a future Hall of Famer. He's very smart. He's a baseball player first, then a pitcher," Roberts said in talking about his experience with Scherzer.

Obviously, the Blue Jays need plenty of offensive firepower, especially after they were neutered by Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The lineup has performed so well that it would be a missed opportunity if they aren't able to make the Dodgers starting pitchers break a sweat.

It's not just Scherzer's past postseason history, but it's what he is doing right now that make him dangerous. Blue Jays fans will always remember his dominant outing in Game 4 of the ALCS against a solid Seattle lineup. He physically confronted his manager and told him he wanted to keep pitching. In all, he allowed three hits, two runs and walked four while striking out five in the Pacific Northwest.

The Blue Jays may need to lean on their starters given the questions in their bullpen. The best part about Scherzer is that if he pitches well in Game 3, the rotation would line up for him to also be available for Game 7 if necessary. Fans certainly don't want to get ahead of themselves, but having someone with that career experience available in a do-or-die game is of the utmost importance.

All hope is not lost and the Blue Jays still have history on their side. Your momentum is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher and the Blue Jays have everything lined up. It's just a matter of execution at this point.