Discover Why the Blue Jays Benched Max Scherzer Before Facing Shohei Ohtani
Max Scherzer, the veteran pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, showcased his skills in Game 7 of the World Series. The 41-year-old Hall of Fame candidate pitched 4.1 innings, allowing just one run while striking out three batters. Despite his strong performance, the Blue Jays made a surprising decision to bench him before he faced Shohei Ohtani for the third time.
Decision to Bench Scherzer
As Scherzer was managing a competitive game, he allowed a single to Miguel Rojas in the fifth inning. With a runner on first and one out, Toronto manager John Schneider opted to make a change. This strategic decision aimed to set up a favorable matchup against Ohtani, a star player from the opposing team.
Matchup Strategy
- Scherzer’s pitching performance:
- Innings Pitched: 4.1
- Runs Allowed: 1
- Strikeouts: 3
- Key Decision:
- Bench Scherzer before facing Ohtani a third time.
Initially, it was expected that Mason Fluharty, a left-handed pitcher, would replace Scherzer to tackle Ohtani. However, the Dodgers brought in Louis Varland instead. Varland had limited experience against Ohtani during this series, which might have influenced the Blue Jays’ decision.
Outcome of the Decision
Despite this change, Varland struggled as he delivered a breaking ball that Ohtani managed to connect with, resulting in a single. This placed two runners on base with only one out, adding pressure to the Blue Jays’ defense.
The decision to bench Max Scherzer before facing Shohei Ohtani raised eyebrows and sparked conversations among fans and commentators alike. As the World Series unfolds, strategic decisions like this may ultimately shape the outcome of the championship.
