As Kershaw Approaches Retirement, Scherzer's Fire Still Blazes in 'Mad Max'

A New Chapter for Kershaw and Scherzer

Clayton Kershaw is preparing for the final three games at the stadium that has been his home for 18 years. This marks the end of an era for the Hall of Fame pitcher, who is now ready to move on to the next chapter of his life. Despite this, the end is far from in sight for Max Scherzer, a 41-year-old who was drafted just four picks after Kershaw in 2006.

Scherzer's fire still burns, and he is set to take the mound in Game 3 of the World Series, aiming to get the Blue Jays back in the game against Kershaw’s Dodgers. While both pitchers are no longer the dominant forces they once were, Scherzer’s nickname “Mad Max” remains as fitting as ever. His performance in his last game left even his manager in awe.

"I thought he was going to kill me," said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. "It was great."

Schneider had been waiting all year for a moment like Game 4 of the ALCS, when he decided to bring Scherzer into the game with two outs in the fifth inning. The decision left Scherzer stunned, unable to believe anyone would dare to take the ball from him in such a crucial moment.

"I think that’s just Scherz," Kershaw said. "I don’t know if that’s old or new school. That’s always been him, you know?"

Despite coming off a 0-3 record in September with an ERA over 10.00, Scherzer was still brought into the game by Schneider, who trusted the veteran pitcher to deliver under pressure. The Blue Jays paid $15.5 million for this kind of performance.

"I understood where the game state was, knew how I wanted to attack, and then all of a sudden I saw Schneids coming out, and I kind of went, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa,’ like, I’m not coming out of this ballgame," Scherzer explained afterward. "So, we had a little conversation that basically I wanted to stay in the ballgame, but just with some other words involved."

Scherzer rewarded his manager by striking out Randy Arozarena to escape the frame. He slammed his glove in celebration, returned to the dugout, then supplied two more outs in the sixth, helping the Blue Jays even the series.

"I think at that point, there’s numbers, there’s projections, there’s strategy, and there’s people," Schneider said. "So, I was trusting people. In that moment, you kind of relive every conversation I’ve had with him over the course of the year, and I trusted him to make pitches."

Intensity on Both Sides

The intensity displayed by Scherzer is matched by Kershaw, who has also shown a strong will throughout his career. Dave Roberts, the Dodgers' manager, recalls the experience of coaching Scherzer and how it prepared him for working with Kershaw.

"I think that they’re both intense," Roberts said. "But I think that Max is a little bit more demonstrative in the pen, in the game, with the intensity, with his coaches and teammates. I recall not even being able to pat him on the backside in the middle of the game."

Scherzer’s time with the Dodgers was marked by moments of brilliance, including a curtain call in his first outing with the team. He recorded 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 11 starts after the trade and reached 3,000 strikeouts with the team. Kershaw followed four years later, becoming the 20th member of the 3,000-strikeout club.

However, their relationship soured late in Scherzer’s tenure with the Dodgers. After a tough loss in the 2021 NLDS, Scherzer was criticized for not pushing past his physical limit, which led to a controversial decision to pull him from the game.

Scherzer eventually signed with the Mets, then moved to the Texas Rangers before joining the Blue Jays. At 41, he knows this might be one of his last chances to reach the World Series again.

On a Blue Jays team that hadn’t made the World Series since 1993, Scherzer’s experience sets him apart. His fourth Fall Classic appearance contrasts sharply with Toronto’s Game 1 starter, Trey Yesavage, a 22-year-old with only three big-league starts under his belt.

The last time Scherzer pitched at Dodger Stadium was Aug. 8, 2024, in a matchup against Kershaw. Though he allowed two runs in six innings, Kershaw secured a 5-1 win. A month later, Kershaw announced this would be his final season, setting the stage for their latest clash as World Series foes.

"It's cool that we both get to be here in this moment," Kershaw said. "Heck, I should probably talk to him. He's still throwing 95 [mph] over there, you know. So, you know, he's still got a few years left in the tank, probably, if he wants it."

While Scherzer struggled during the regular season with a career-worst 5.19 ERA, Kershaw posted a 3.36 ERA. However, the Dodgers’ pitching staff, featuring Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Tyler Glasnow, has performed exceptionally well in the postseason.

Kershaw, despite his role as a reliever, has remained professional and supportive of the team. His presence continues to inspire the Dodgers, with many players expressing their desire to win for him.

Scherzer, meanwhile, shows no signs of retiring after this season. His body may not always cooperate, but his passion for the game remains undiminished. As he prepares for another World Series start, he is focused on enjoying the moment and making the most of his opportunities.

"I absolutely respect playing in a World Series, what that means, and absolutely cherish these opportunities," Scherzer said. "So, yeah, when I get a chance to get the ball, man, this means everything."