Friday, September 25

BALTIMORE -- The final three days of the Blue Jays’ season need to matter. They’re big league baseball games packed full of fans who have planned their weekend -- or maybe even an entire road trip -- around being there. 

This series against the Reds won’t matter for the standings, though, outside of the Blue Jays and Orioles duking it out for last place in the AL East. The season is essentially over now, the Blue Jays already eliminated Wednesday in Baltimore.

From this moment on, every step the Blue Jays take needs to be in a better direction for 2027 and beyond. A club that entered the season with World Series expectations is barreling toward a losing record, a disappointment by just about any definition. 

What matters, then, over the final three days of baseball?

1. Max Scherzer vs. Justin Verlander

This is one for baseball fans, not just Blue Jays fans. 

Scherzer’s strikeout total now sits at 3,550, the ninth most in MLB history. This puts him four strikeouts shy of Justin Verlander (3,554) for eighth all-time. Verlander pitches Saturday for Detroit, and even though Sunday would put Scherzer on short rest, he’s still not ready to pack his bag.

“I'm hoping to be able to get back out there on Sunday and finish strong here,” Scherzer said. “I want to pitch in front of Toronto again, so I’ve got a chance to be able to do that.”

This brings us to the obvious next question, which is whether Scherzer will come back for a 20th season in 2027. He’s said that he feels better, physically, than he has in a long time, and his competitive fire burns as wild as ever. Scherzer said Wednesday that he would have something to share on that in the coming days, but until then, his manager is just happy to have gotten a glimpse of Scherzer. 

“I feel fortunate to be along for the ride for a couple of years in a Hall of Fame career,” manager John Schneider said. “It’s not a surprise that he is who he is, how good he still is at 42 and how good he’s been when you watch him prepare. How he works, that rubs off on other people. If this is his last one -- and I have a feeling you may see him this season one more time -- after that, it’s his decision. I’ve been fortunate.”

2. How does Vladimir Guerrero Jr. want to end his season?

 As if Wednesday’s official elimination wasn’t bad enough, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. caused a stir among Blue Jays fans with his comments in a recent Spanish-language interview. 

Fans want more from Guerrero, as they should. With just nine home runs and an OPS that’s hovered below .700, Guerrero’s struggles have defined this team. Now, in these final days of the season, it’s an important moment for Guerrero to be the face of this organization. That’s part of the job description in good times, but also in bad. 

Guerrero’s nagging back injury could get in the way, but if he’s able to play, that stadium will still be hanging on every one of his at-bats. No player in this organization has more influence over their teammates, and younger Blue Jays will look to Guerrero to set the standard and maintain it, even at the end of a long, frustrating season.

3. Clues from the young guys

Expect to see Sean Keys and Charles McAdoo in the lineup, perhaps even Brett Bateman if he’s feeling better after suffering a right hip injury on Monday in Baltimore. 

Can Keys crush right-handed pitching for the Blue Jays next year, perhaps in a part-time DH and first-base role? George Springer is a free agent and this team can’t be banking on anything too certain from Anthony Santander, so that job is wide open at the DH spot. Keys has the power this roster desperately needs, and every at-bat will matter for him. 

In the past, this front office has shown a willingness to go outside of the organization for this type of player. Think Brandon Belt, Justin Turner or even Daniel Vogelbach, who got plenty of opportunities. Keys filling that spot would be a major win heading into 2027. 

The bullpen matters, too. Ideally, Ricky Tiedemann would find his way back into the roster for another appearance or two, but the Blue Jays also want a longer look at lefty Brendan Cellucci and righty Jose Rodriguez, both of whom have looked sharp lately.

During Wednesday’s doubleheader in Baltimore, a recent interview with Guerrero picked up some steam on social media among Blue Jays fans. In particular, fans understandably took issue when Guerrero spoke about being paid for what he’s done for the Blue Jays in the past, not what he’s expected to do in the future.

“I want people to understand one thing,” Guerrero said in Spanish. “The money they gave me wasn’t for what I’m going to do. It was for what I already did. They didn’t pay me because I’m going to hit 40 every year. They paid me for what I already accomplished. People are confused about that, but I think the same way they do. Like, sometimes I even say to myself: bro, they gave you all that money and you’re out here doing nothing. I try.”

Asked about those comments following the Blue Jays being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs Wednesday afternoon, Guerrero stood by them. 

"No, I don't regret myself. I'm not lying with what I say,” Guerrero said through interpreter Hector Lebron. “I understand some fans, they don't understand the way and what I was trying to say specifically, but what I said is the way I feel."

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