Max Scherzer made his return to the Toronto Blue Jays this past offseason, and many are wondering how he is still doing it after all these years. Scherzer has proven much of baseball wrong, remaining a very effective starter at 41 years old.

Across 19 seasons, eight All-Star appearances, and numerous accolades and postseason runs, Scherzer has built a remarkable career. The right-hander was a phenomenon in his early days and has continued to bring that same energy wherever he’s gone. For years, he has been a surgeon on the mound—dissecting lineups and cutting off offensive supply. Having him on the bump has consistently put his team in a position to win. Time usually dictates careers; however, for Scherzer, he has rewired his engine to stay on the road.

The Blue Jays got 85 regular-season innings from “Mad Max” in 2025. They also received 14 1/3 postseason innings, during which he faced 58 batters, struck out 11, and allowed just six earned runs on 12 hits.

His overall performance helped the Blue Jays escape big situations and stay afloat. So, what has been his formula for continued success?

The veteran right-hander is well known around the league; there is plenty of scouting information on him. He doesn’t match the same metrics he did eight years ago, but it’s clear he still works matchups effectively.

Let’s start with his repertoire: a four-seam fastball, changeup, slider, curveball, and cutter. His fastball will always be his most-used pitch. From 2017 to 2021, he consistently averaged 94–95 mph, touching 96.

That velocity dipped slightly after 2021, with his fastball topping out around 92 mph. Recently, he has settled around 93 mph with the ability to reach higher when needed. His command has always been there, but now his location is more precise—especially on the inside part of the plate. This cuts off hitters’ swing paths and forces weaker contact, limiting damage even when barrels occur.

Along with working inside and making hitters uncomfortable, the Blue Jays’ veteran mixes his off-speed pitches throughout counts. In Scherzer’s first start of 2026 against the Colorado Rockies, he recorded a foul out, a strikeout, and a groundout in the first inning. The groundout came against left-handed hitter Willi Castro. Scherzer threw four pitches: he opened with a curveball out of the zone, then elevated a fastball for a swinging strike, followed with a slider inside for a foul ball, and finished the at-bat with a high fastball up and in for a groundout.

He also threw two innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a highly anticipated 2026 matchup before forearm tendinitis put him on the shelf for the day. He delivered 24 strikes on 36 pitches and recorded two strikeouts.

In the first inning, he faced Shohei Ohtani, jamming him with an 88 mph cutter that resulted in a foul out, then later inducing a lineout on a changeup. He also struck out Freddie Freeman with a 90 mph fastball on the inside half. Pitch location and sequencing are critical to his success. What he throws—and where he throws it—matters. While Scherzer no longer maintains his peak velocity, these at-bats highlight the approach that has extended his career.

“Mad Max” keeps hitters guessing. While opponents may sit on his fastball, they don’t know when it’s coming or where it will be located.

His most-used off-speed pitches now are his slider and changeup, with less reliance on the cutter and curveball. The curveball remains effective, but the cutter’s movement may be diminished. The slider and changeup complement his fastball location and help vary speeds, disrupting timing and balance.

Scherzer also excels at changing eye levels. Like any pitcher, he gets hit when he makes mistakes—but otherwise, he remains locked in. He may not be the overpowering weapon he once was, but his pitching IQ, sequencing, repertoire, and execution continue to keep him effective in Major League Baseball.

Once he returns from his temporary ailment, Scherzer will need to stick to this plan—executing his locations and maintaining a fundamentally sound approach. He began refining this strategy late last season and has carried it into 2026. If he continues, he should provide more innings than expected and give the Blue Jays a strong chance to win ballgames.

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