The Toronto Blue Jays will hand the ball to veteran Max Scherzer on Saturday night in the final game of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed the news after Toronto’s 3-1 loss in Game 6.
Aged 41, Scherzer will make his third start in the playoffs. He helped the Blue Jays defeat the Seattle Mariners by allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series and worked 4 1/3 innings in the Blue Jays’ heartbreaking 18 inning loss in Game 3 of the World Series.
“These are the two most beautiful words in the world of sport: “Game 7”. There’s no better guy to have on the mound to deal with the emotions and everything that comes. Max was preparing for Game 7 since he knew he was throwing Game 3. I have all the confidence in him and in everyone for tomorrow,” assured Schneider.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner will have the chance to get his hands on the third title of his career.
Schneider even confided that Game 6 starter Kevin Gausman, who threw 93 pitches in six innings, could be available if needed to get some outs in Game 7.
“Everyone who is active on training will be available tomorrow, maybe even Kev. Everyone will be there tomorrow,” Schneider said.
On the Dodgers side, manager Dave Roberts was more secretive about the identity of his starting pitcher for the ultimate game.
However, he revealed that Friday’s starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto would not be available after throwing 96 pitches in six innings in Game 6. He also indicated that Tyler Glasnow would be available, who was used in relief on Friday, but who needed only three pitches to get the last three outs of Game 6.
“I’m not sure about tomorrow as far as throwing goes. Glasnow will be available, but actually everyone will be available,” Roberts simply mentioned.
Ohtani on the mound? As a starter or relief?
There is also the possibility of seeing superstar Shohei Ohtani on the mound, but there is a catch: he would have to be employed as a starter in order to remain in the game as designated hitter. If he is used in relief, he should be moved to another position on defense in order to remain in the game as a hitter.
“It’s a possibility,” Roberts admitted of the chances of Ohtani starting in the final game. It’s not certain, but it’s a possibility. Same thing for Glasnow. They are all possibilities
“I’m going to check with him how he feels between being a starter and coming in as relief. We are close to a decision. »
Ohtani, who pitched six innings in Game 4, would then have four days of rest between his two starts. If that’s the number of days off normally prescribed for a starter, that’s not necessarily the case for Ohtani, who has the distinction of being employed as a hitter between his starts and who was returning to the mound in 2025 after recovering from elbow surgery in 2024.
This season, he has never pitched after getting fewer than five days of rest and he had gotten at least 10 every time he pitched for six or more innings in his previous start.
“I’m confident,” Roberts said. It’s Game 7, so there are a few things the guys have never done, but I trust them. Now it’s about trying to win a baseball game. »
The two managers placed emphasis on the unique moment that their players will have the chance to experience during the ultimate match.
“We have guys in the locker room and among the coaches who are going to make it seem a little normal tomorrow,” Schneider said. It will be pleasant. It’ll be three, four, five hours of great baseball. The guys will be ready and I hope they will enjoy it. It’s Game 7 of the World Series in your stadium. What more do you want? »
“I don’t think the moment is going to be too big for us,” Roberts analyzed. We are going to play a baseball game. I don’t know how the game is going to go, but I can’t wait to go to bed and get up to play this game. »
