Max Scherzer will become the first pitcher to make a World Series start with 4 different teams tonight (DET, WSH, TEX & TOR). The only other player to accomplish that feat in World Series history is Lonnie Smith (PHI, STL, KC & ATL).
Numbers behind Max Scherzer’s historic World Series start versus Dodgers
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
By Thomas Hall
Oct 28, 2025, 13:30 EDTUpdated: Oct 28, 2025, 12:57 EDT
Max Scherzer made history in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday, although that was likely lost in the craziness of the 18th-inning marathon — matching the longest game played in Fall Classic history.
The future Hall of Famer excelled in his first post-season start against the Seattle Mariners in Game 4 of the ALCS, punching out five over 5.2 innings of two-run ball with his fiery, intense flair. So, the Toronto Blue Jays opted to hand him the ball as this series shifted to Los Angeles, giving the right-hander another chance to etch his name in the record books.
By making this start, Scherzer became the first pitcher in World Series history to start at least one game with four different teams (Tigers, Nationals, Rangers, Blue Jays). That feat had previously only been accomplished by a position player, outfielder Lonnie Smith (Phillies, Cardinals, Royals, Braves), winning titles with three of those four clubs.
Scherzer, of course, is seeking his third World Series ring after capturing his first two with Washington (2019) and Texas (2023).
At 41 years and 92 days, “Mad Max” also became the sixth-oldest pitcher to start a World Series game in the Live Ball era (since 1920) on Monday, placing just 13 days ahead of Roger Clemens during the 2003 Fall Classic. Had Scherzer won the game, he would’ve become the second-oldest pitcher to accomplish that feat, behind only Kenny Rogers (41 years, 346 days) in ’06.
For reference, Jack Quinn holds the record as the oldest pitcher (46 years, 103 days) to start a game in World Series history, doing so with the then-Philadelphia Athletics in 1929.
While Scherzer received a no-decision in Monday’s 6-5 walk-off defeat, the three-time Cy Young winner was as effective as Toronto could’ve hoped for, pitching twice through the order against a Dodgers lineup littered with MVPs. His final pitching line read three earned runs against, though the last of which was charged to him after he had departed the game in the fifth inning.
Prior to Shohei Ohtani’s left-on-left RBI double off Mason Fluharty, a small piece of the two-way superstar’s historic performance, Scherzer had surrendered just a pair of runs — both via solo shots, with the second coming from Ohtani — on five hits and one walk while striking out three across 4.1 innings. Other than those two mistakes, he navigated Los Angeles’ offence about as well as he could have.
With this start, Scherzer now sits tied with John Smoltz — who was at Dodger Stadium, working the game as a colour commentator for Fox Sports — for the seventh-most career starts in post-season history with 27. He’s also just one inning shy of tying Jon Lester for the ninth-most career playoff innings logged (154).
By notching a trio of strikeouts in Game 3, Scherzer bumped his career post-season total up to 179, putting him four back of Andy Pettitte for fourth-most all-time.
In addition, Scherzer also achieved a personal accolade in Monday’s World Series start, recording his fastest first-inning fastball velocity during a playoff game in four years. The veteran hurler averaged 95.8 m.p.h. with his four-seamer, reaching one decimal point higher than his average velo in Game 1 of the 2021 NL wild-card series — back during his brief Dodgers tenure.
The eight-time All-Star’s fastball also hit 96 m.p.h. three different times in that first inning against those same Dodgers. For context, he had only thrown his heater that hard four other times this season — once in Game 4 of the ALCS and three times in his start on Aug. 8.
Great job by Max Scherzer to work around Shohei Ohtani's leadoff double. Mad Max continues to show excellent fastball velo, hitting 96 mph 3 times in that 1st inning. He only did that 3 times in the regular season & once in Game 4 of the ALCS. #BlueJays
What a ride it’s been for Scherzer over these last few weeks. From missing a massive chunk of this season due to his thumb injury to being left off the Blue Jays’ ALDS roster, he now finds himself back in the World Series on the sport’s biggest stage. And he may not be finished yet.
If this series goes the distance, Scherzer would likely be lined up to start a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday, which would become the third in franchise history. For that to happen, though, Toronto would need to win two out of the next three games — two of which will come on the road.
Still, even if a champion is determined before then, this may not be Scherzer’s swan song. He’s leaving the door open for the possibility of returning for a 19th season in 2026. If he has an opportunity to pitch on a playoff contender, don’t be surprised if he’s back for his age-41 season next year.
In any case, whether it’s this fall or next, Scherzer — signed to a one-year, $15.5-million contract — might receive another chance to continue climbing the all-time post-season leaderboards before eventually receiving the call to Cooperstown.
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