Veteran Pitcher Scherzer Aims to Revive Blue Jays' Playoff Hopes

As the Toronto Blue Jays face elimination in the AL Championship Series, they are turning to their veteran ace Max Scherzer to keep their playoff hopes alive. The 41-year-old Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is set to start Game 4 against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.

Scherzer hasn't pitched in a game since his last regular-season start on September 24 against the Boston Red Sox. He has been recovering from various injuries, including neck pain that limited him at the end of the season. However, the Blue Jays are confident that Scherzer will bring his signature intensity and high level of execution to the mound.

The Blue Jays dropped the first two games of the ALCS at home, and they now need to win at least two of the three games in Seattle to send the best-of-seven series back to Toronto. Scherzer, who finalized a $15.5 million, one-year contract with the Blue Jays in February, is determined to help his team bounce back.

"I love it. This is what you play for," Scherzer said. "You want to have the ball in this situation, you want to be pitching in the postseason." The veteran pitcher is making his 26th postseason start and 31st appearance, and he is eager to prove his worth on the big stage.