Latest news with #Scherzer
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays' Max Scherzer reveals truth behind teammate Eric Lauer's fat lip
Article content ICYMI on Blue Jays Central pregame, Max Scherzer sets the record straight on 'Fat-lip Gate' — Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) July 28, 2025 Article content Article content Scherzer — who also confirmed that he does have a rule for teammates not to mess with him when he has his headphones in – said that Lauer clued him in on the prank before going to the media. Article content 'Mad Max', who started Sunday's game in Detroit, said he thought it was a great idea – but doubted if Lauer could believably pull it off in front of the cameras. Article content 'To his credit, he kept a straight face, he even deked you out,' Scherzer told Mae. 'It's all fun and games … They found a way to bring this out, have fun with it. I think it's hysterical. My wife thought it was hysterical. Article content 'My phone's been blowing up nonstop over it. Everybody actually thinks I've punched Eric Lauer in the face. I haven't. Laughs all around, kudos to those guys.'
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Last Night in Baseball: Cal Raleigh Hits Homers 40, 41, Extending MLB Lead
There is always baseball happening — almost too much baseball for one person to follow themselves. Don't worry, we're here to help you by figuring out what you missed but shouldn't have. Here are all the best moments from the weekend in Major League Baseball: Raleigh is first to 40, then hits another Cal Raleigh, 2025 Home Run Derby winner and MLB home run leader, was a little slow on the dinger front coming off of the All-Star break. The Mariners' catcher picked up his first long ball of the second "half" on July 22, however, and then over the weekend went deep two more times. The first shot came on Saturday, giving Raleigh his 40th blast of the year — he's the first player in 2025 to 40, and to this point still the only one at that point. Not satisfied with that lead, however, Big Dumper added to it on Sunday with another homer. With Aaron Judge hitting the IL with a flexor strain, this flurry of home runs and RBIs is not great for his Triple Crown chances, which were already going to be contentious given the season Raleigh is having. Of course, there's still over two months of said season left, so it's a little early to be declarative in that regard either way. Classic Scherzer The Blue Jays' bullpen might have wasted the effort by allowing seven runs after his exit, but there was plenty to be excited about in Max Scherzer's start on Sunday. He went seven innings on 96 pitches, striking out 11 Tigers against zero walks, while allowing three runs and three hits. If he's shaken the rust off enough to look like that, then Toronto's rotation just got a bigger boost than expected. Now, that's one start, and Scherzer is (1) 40 years old and (2) just got his ERA for the season under five with that outing. However, if he can even be that guy on occasion, if that kind of pitcher is still in there somewhere this late in his career, then that's good news for the Blue Jays. Hey, he had a 3.89 ERA with 214 strikeouts over 196 innings between 2023 and 2024 — he might have something left in the tank just like the Jays hoped he did back when they signed him this past offseason. Trout finally reaches 1,000 RBIs Mike Trout hit a career milestone on Sunday: after a few days of sitting at 999 RBIs, he picked up numbers 1,000 and 1,001 with one swing of the bat, a two-run shot off of Logan Gilbert. That home run was also the 397th for the Angels' slugger, so he's real close to another notable round number in his career. After Trout goes yard three more times, he'll be just the eighth player with this hyperspecific set of career numbers: at least 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 runs, 400 home runs, 300 doubles, 50 triples and 200 steals. The current group is Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Dave Winfield, Frank Robinson, Andre Dawson, Barry Bonds and Carlos Beltran. Pretty good company, and Trout's turning 34 next month — he's got plenty of time to try to work his way further up the ranks. A's sweep Astros. Wait, really? The Astros were very briefly on top of the world last week, but they've come crashing down since. They were tied for the best record in the American League with the Blue Jays when they woke up on Thursday morning, but then the big bad Athletics showed up on the schedule, and swept Houston. Not exactly the expected plans for the weekend, but the four consecutive losses now have the Astros at 60-46, four games up on the Mariners in the AL West but three games behind Toronto for the AL's top record. It was a bloodbath, too: the Astros lost 5-2 on Friday, but on Saturday they went down 15-3 thanks to allowing A's rookie Nick Kurtz to have a historic night at the plate , then were defeated 5-1 and 7-1 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The A's outscored the Astros 32-7 in four games, lopping 25 runs off of Houston's run differential for the season almost instantaneously and leaving it at +39. Meanwhile, the A's are still in the midst of a lost season – even after going +25 over four days, their run differential is at -121 – but it's at least one where they're playing much better of late, and seeing a rookie like Kurtz, who was drafted just last year fourth-overall, dominate like he has is a comfort when you put it next to their record. He's hitting .309/.378/.683 with 23 homers in 67 games, and if he can keep it up, he'll continue his streak — both amateur and professional — of never posting a full-season OPS below 1.000. He might be a good hitter. Rafaela reminds that he's not just an outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela is back to playing second base for the Red Sox with Marcelo Mayer on the 10-day IL, and you'd think he's been there the whole time rather than playing an excellent defensive outfield. Some guys just have all the instincts and athletic skill on the defensive side, however. Which Rafael reminded everyone of with this unassisted double play at second base against the Dodgers on Sunday: It looks impressive enough from that angle, but the zoomed-in slow-motion replay from another angle really adds to just how close the play was: That talk of his outfield defense isn't hyperbole, either: Rafaela was worth nearly two wins defensively by wins above replacement in 2024, and has already matched that in 2025 while leading in outfield assists with seven. That he can just slot in at second and look like he's a game-changer there, too, is wild. Schwarber had a defensive highlight, too Don't worry, it was befitting the Phillies' slugger. Kyle Schwarber might be known for his bat, and also let's say not known for his glove, but here he made it work. The ball took him down — likely revenge for the crimes Schwarber has committed against many a baseball — but in the end the out counted all the same. Cruz was cruising A week ago, we used this space to point out how fast Oneil Cruz was, when he rounded second and then casually headed home to score on a throwing error before the Tigers could figure out what was going on. He didn't need the trickery on Sunday, when he just straight-up outran the Diamondbacks' defensive effort by going first-to-home on a single. Cruz might be hitting .221 on the season, but he's got power (17 homers and .428 slugging despite that average), and he's got wheels (an MLB-leading 34 steals in 38 chances, plus plays like this one) to lean on. He's just fun to watch, even when the batting average isn't there. Imagine how could he could be if he could stick in even that .250 range or so? We're seeing double. Four triples! Saturday was a big day for triples in MLB, at least, for two players in particular. Jarren Duran had a pair of them against the Dodgers, in what ended up being a 4-2 win for Boston. And Michael Harris II had two of his own for the Braves against the Rangers. Though, Atlanta wasn't about to beat Texas in that one, dropping the game 6-5. MLB could use more triples. Duran seems to have no trouble hitting them — he led the majors with 14 in 2024, and has an AL-leading dozen this summer — while Corbin Carroll tied Duran a year ago and is the only player with more than him this year — but we could always use more. Sure, the tremendous ability of outfielders is part of why there's been a decline in these three-base beauties, but it's fine to want things. Healthy, even. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Cal Raleigh Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball recommended Item 1 of 2 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays denied a Motown sweep when red-hot bats suddenly go cold
Article content One has to go back to June 13 to find a time when the Blue Jays were shutout, an 8-0 setback in Philadelphia against a very good Phillies team loaded with quality starters. Article content Technically, the Jays did score in Sunday's in loss, but it was checkered, to say the least, because it came off a recently DFA'd pitcher in a ninth inning featuring a bad call by the home plate ump that led to a walk, the first of three, followed by defensive indifference. Article content Article content Either way, the Jays weren't good, save for their starter and cleanup hitter, and should have been held scoreless until a series of unusual circumstances helped the visitors in the ninth. Article content Article content At no time in franchise history have the Jays earned a four-game sweep in Motown, an elusive feat that would continue following their 10-4 loss. In the opening three games of the series, the Jays outscored the Tigers 23-7. Article content The only player from the bottom of the order to record a hit was Tyler Heineman, who will be expected to fill the void behind the plate in the absence of Alejandro Kirk. Article content Four-run innings have been the norm of late with the Blue Jays, who were on the receiving end when Detroit plated seven in the eighth, a truly ugly frame when the MLB-leading team unraveled. Article content Article content The following are three takeaways on an afternoon the Jays would lose a game for only the second time since the all-star break, but they would take the season series from the Tigers. Article content 1. Mad Max in the Motor City Article content On his 41st birthday, veteran Max Scherzer started against a team he spent five years from 2010 through 2014, which included a World Series appearance in 2012. Article content He's been built up after injuring his thumb in Scherzer's debut with the Blue Jays. Article content Sunday's outing was Scherzer's seventh start of the season. Article content In the first inning, he struck out two by resorting to his fastball. Article content During the Jays' stay at Comerica Park, the team has received solid starting pitching, beginning with Eric Lauer, who was at his absolute best in Thursday's series opener.
Canada News.Net
5 days ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Blue Jays' Max Scherzer on familiar ground with start vs. Tigers
(Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images) Max Scherzer returns to the mound where the right-hander became a star in the finale of a four-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays and host Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon. The American League East-leading Blue Jays have won four straight games and eight of nine since the All-Star break, while the AL Central-topping Tigers have dropped six straight and 12 of their last 13. Scherzer's career took off when he was traded from Arizona to Detroit before the 2010 season. He posted an 82-35 record in five seasons with the Tigers and won the Cy Young Award there in 2013 - the first of three in the eight-time All-Star's well-traveled career. Right now, the 41-year-old Scherzer is just trying to get back into a groove after recovering from a thumb injury which sidelined him for nearly three months. Scherzer (1-0, 5.14 ERA) hasn't thrown more than 90 pitches in five starts since coming off the injured list. In his last outing on Tuesday, he gave up four runs in five innings against the New York Yankees. He wound up with a no-decision in a 5-4 loss. 'This is the major leagues; you either win or you don't. That's just how I operate,' Scherzer said. 'I take accountability for that. Saying that, our team fought hard. We were down, and we fought our way back into that ballgame. Guys are competing all across the diamond offensively and defensively.' The Blue Jays were down 4-1 when he departed but tied the score before the Yankees pushed across the winning run in the ninth. 'I thought Max threw well, and I thought his stuff was really good,' Toronto manager John Schneider said. 'I wish he had a few more pitches to keep going there, but I think that 90 with the score where it was, that's good for the night.' Scherzer will be making his 80th career start at Detroit's Comerica Park. He's 47-14 with a 3.37 ERA when at the Tigers' home park. His most recent start in Detroit didn't go so well. As a member of the New York Mets on May 3, 2023, Scherzer gave up six runs and eight hits - including two home runs -- in 3 1/3 innings and took the loss in an 8-1 Tigers victory. Overall, Scherzer is 2-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 25 1/3 innings over four career starts against the Tigers. Right-hander Jack Flaherty (5-10, 4.77), Detroit's scheduled starter, will be seeking his first win since June 8. He's 0-4 with three no-decisions in his last seven outings. Flaherty was pulled after just three innings and 78 pitches on Monday. He gave up three runs on six hits and walked three in a 3-0 loss at Pittsburgh. 'I was in some good counts and the at-bats got long,' he said. 'Then a couple of walks get sprinkled in there, which has been the theme when the pitch count starts to go up quickly. It was a weird one.' What made it even more baffling for Flaherty was that he had six strikeouts along the way. 'I was getting to two strikes and then let them stick around too long. Or I would fall behind and have to make a pitch,' he said. 'I have to really look at it. It's not a stuff thing. My stuff was actually really good.' Flaherty is 4-1 with a 2.51 ERA in 28 2/3 innings over five career starts against Toronto. The Blue Jays have won the first three games of the current series by a combined score of 23-7.
Winnipeg Free Press
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Max Scherzer blames himself for Blue Jays' 5-4 loss to rival Yankees
TORONTO – Max Scherzer has never been one to make excuses. Scherzer didn't take the loss on the scorecard when the Toronto Blue Jays dropped a 5-4 decision to the New York Yankees on Tuesday, but he did take responsibility for it after he gave up four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings. 'I just have to locate the ball better. I gotta put the ball where I want to. I've got to execute better,' said the surefire Hall of Famer. 'This comes down to location. I've got to locate the ball better. You've got to pitch better. 'I don't think this is going back to the drawing board, I think my pitches are there, so that's the good news. But at the end day, I've got to pitch better. I've got to locate better.' Scherzer gave up a three-run blast to Jazz Chisholm Jr., in the first inning and then a solo shot to Cody Bellinger in the fifth as New York (56-45) jumped out to an early lead. Although the Blue Jays tied it 4-4 in the sixth inning on RBI doubles from pinch-hitter Davis Schneider and George Springer, Scherzer still blamed himself for digging too deep a hole for Toronto to climb out of. 'I take accountability for where I put the ball, and I can be better,' said Scherzer, who struck out four. 'I know I can be better, and so I will be better.' Closer Jeff Hoffman (6-3) actually took the loss for Toronto after he gave up a home run to Ben Rice in the ninth inning. Addison Barger had kept the Blue Jays in the game with a pair of RBI singles in the first and fifth innings. 'I put them in a tough spot by giving up four runs, but the rest of the team did their job,' said Scherzer. 'Guys are out there fighting. 'We're a great team. They're a great team. These are fun series to be in. You just want to be out there helping your team win more.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The Blue Jays' four-game win streak and franchise-best 11-game streak at Rogers Centre were snapped by the defeat but Toronto still held a three-game lead over the Yankees in the American League East standings. Blue Jays manager John Schneider wasn't panicking after the loss. 'We had our chances, but didn't really come through,' he said. 'I love the way they fought, though. 'Every night it's the same thing. It seems to be a different guy and we're right in there every game.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2025.
