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Blue Jays bullpen is fully rested if Max Scherzer struggles
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Photo credit: © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Oct 27, 2025, 20:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 27, 2025, 20:16 EDT
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On Monday, the Toronto Blue Jays will play a pivotal Game 3 with Max Scherzer on the mound.
In his last start, the 41-year-old pitched five and two-thirds innings, giving up two earned runs, four walks, and striking out five in an eventual 8-2 win in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.
Down 2-1 in the series entering that game, the Blue Jays needed Vintage Max Scherzer, and got just that from the future Hall of Famer. With the World Series tied at one, the Blue Jays need another excellent start from Scherzer.
Despite the strong outing his last time out, there are some causes for concern. Over his final six starts from August 25 until September 24, Scherzer gave up 25 earned runs over 25 innings for a 9 ERA and 6.18 FIP. As positive as his last start was, there’s a chance he could be knocked out of the game early.
Thankfully, the Blue Jays’ bullpen is rested ahead of Monday evening’s game. Kevin Gausman may have been tagged with the loss on Saturday, but he went six and two-thirds innings. After being pulled, only Louis Varland, Jeff Hoffman, and Braydon Fisher pitched.
With an off-day on Sunday, all three of those relievers should be available, with Hoffman throwing eight pitches, Varland throwing 13, and Fisher throwing 14. Chris Bassitt, Mason Fluharty, Eric Lauer, and Seranthony Domínguez most recently pitched on Friday, while Brendon Little hasn’t thrown this series.
If Scherzer struggles early, the Jays should be able to get length out of Bassitt and Lauer. That said, if either throws a significant number of innings, they likely won’t be available until Game 6 at the earliest.
As important as this game is for the Blue Jays, it’s not that important that they need to use a starter after Scherzer is pulled. However, it could be a different story if they lose on Monday heading into Tuesday’s game, because going down 3-1 in the series with Game 5 in L.A. would almost guarantee a series loss.
Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how Scherzer performs in what could be his final outing in his Hall of Fame career.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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