AUGUST 31, 2026
Magical Max
With the season moving into its crucial final month of play, the Toronto Blue Jays will need stellar pitching if they want to qualify for playoffs. Yesterday, help came from an unlikely source as 42-year-old Max Scherzer, who has had his struggles this season, turned back the clock and delivered a vintage performance, shutting down the Seattle Mariners and keeping the playoff hopes alive. Tossing seven scoreless innings and striking out 10, Mad Max became just the third player aged 42 or older in Major League Baseball history to achieve those marks. And with 10 punchouts, he moved into 9th place on the all-time strikeout list. “It was like hopping in a time machine,” said Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “This is what you play for … I love these moments,” noted Scherzer, who thanked the fans for the standing ovation that greeted him as he walked off the field after his final inning. Following the game, a reporter asked him whether he needed a strong outing to prove he can still pitch in the big leagues. “No,” replied the ever-confident Scherzer brusquely. “Because I always knew.” As the Jays embark on a series against the Cleveland Guardians – the team they’re chasing for the final playoff berth – they can only hope that Max’s magical moment rubs off on the rest of the team. | Getty Images
