Blue Jays ace Max Scherzer's recent pitching bodes well when baseball's post-season rolls around
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When the Jays signed the future hall of famer to a one-year deal, they had an inkling what they were getting.
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But no one could have envisioned this version of Max Scherzer, especially after he left following three innings in his debut with the Blue Jays way back when Baltimore came to town in the season's series opener.
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In his first major outing with the Blue Jays, he faced Clayton Kershaw and fellow future hall of famer in Los Angeles.
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The Jays would lose to the Dodgers, but Scherzer tossed a season-high 98 pitches.
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In his first major outing at home with a series win at stake, Scherzer stepped up.
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The Jays were coming off a loss to the Chicago Cubs.
What Scherzer delivered was his fourth quality start in a row.
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Friday night in Buffalo, one-time Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber makes another rehab start in triple-A.
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When Bieber was acquired from Cleveland on trade deadline line, many pegged the right-hander to start in the playoffs.
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As of today, and keep in mind things can change in the many weeks to follow, Scherzer must start Game 1 in whatever playoff series the Jays happen to experience, whether it's a best-of-three backdrop or a best-of-five matchup.
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The one mistake Scherzer made Thursday was a pitch Michael Busch launched for a homer.
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Scherzer earned the win to improve to 4-3, while the Jays' win improved their record to 71-51.
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Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and even Eric Lauer, whose play has turned heads, have had moments on the mound.
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But none has the resume of Scherzer or the cache.
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Bieber, potentially, can fill that role, but until he's on a big-league mound he must be viewed as an unknown.
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At the same time unless something goes sideways, Bieber is expected to start in the playoffs because the Jays brought him in for those moments.
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Fully aware of the Cubs' aggressive approach at the plate, Scherzer felt the key was to be aggressive.
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He credited battery mate Tyler Heineman.
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'It was a good game overall,'' said Scherzer.
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The big swing came courtesy of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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'We won with a two-run shot not a solo shot,'' added Scherzer.
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Being around the baseball block as long as he has, Scherzer wasn't going to look too far into the future and nor was he going to comment on the possibility of a six-man rotation.
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He was more than willing to talk about the fans who have been flocking to the ballpark.
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'They're special and the fans have been great.'
With Thursday's game so tight, the Jays' bullpen entered the game with no margin for error.
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