Max Scherzer Refuses To Leave In Possible Final Start
TLDR: Max Scherzer argued his way past 104 pitches, threw 114 in a 5-1 Blue Jays win over the Reds, and finished 3 strikeouts shy of Justin Verlander in what may be his last start.
The best line of the weekend came from Schneider, who explained what he said to Scherzer on the mound when he finally got the ball back. It was a thank-you, plus the best compliment you can give a guy like Max.
“If that doesn’t sum up Max, I don’t know what does.” John Schneider on his conversation when he pulled Scherzer: “I just said… Thank you for letting me be part of your unbelievable career. I wouldn’t want any other 42-year-old psychopath on my team than you.” #BlueJays
Scherzer's own postgame answer about how he felt out there works as his whole career in 4 words.
Max Scherzer on how he felt on the mound in his final start for the #BlueJays: “I felt like I was unlimited."
So where does that leave it? Verlander is done, eighth all-time with 3,560. Scherzer is ninth with 3,557 and says he'll decide this winter. If this was his last start, he went out arguing with his manager and throwing 114 pitches on short rest, which is exactly how he pitched for 19 years. If it wasn't, the 3 strikeouts separating him from Verlander give him a pretty obvious reason to come back.
