Published on: October 17, 2025, 01:59h.

Updated on: October 17, 2025, 02:11h.

• Blue Jays emerge as -116 ML favorites for ALCS Game 5 tonight
• Scherzer shines in Game 4 victory
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 Home Runs +400 stands out as the top prop bet for Game 5

Max Scherzer, 41, is generating buzz across Canada today after delivering an intense and commanding pitching performance in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, where the Blue Jays faced the Mariners in Seattle last night.

Max Scherzer Leads the Blue Jays to Victory in Game 4

Many fans witnessed the thrilling highlights – Jays manager John Schneider making his way to the mound to check on his starting pitcher in the fifth inning with the Jays up 5-1, Scherzer fiercely insisting on remaining in the game, while Schneider urged him to focus on getting the last out of the sixth inning. Scherzer responded by striking out Randy Arozarena with a curveball. The Jays triumphed last night with an 8-2 victory, following a previous 13-4 win in Game 3, also in Seattle.

“I thought he might be angry with me. It was fantastic. The intensity in his eyes was palpable as I approached,” Schneider commented with a grin. “He has that ‘Mad Max’ vibe, but he certainly delivered tonight.”

The Jays arrived in Seattle earlier this week in a challenging position, down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, facing three consecutive games at their opponent’s stadium after narrowly losing Game 1, 3-1, followed by a significant defeat in Game 2, 10-3.

Gausman Steers the Team into Game 5

However, as Scherzer reminded his teammates post-Game 2, the nature of baseball can bring unexpected turns.

“This suddenly becomes a three-game series in Seattle, and the dynamics can shift significantly,” he shared with Sportsnet. “Even though the first two games were disappointing, this is baseball; things can change quickly.”

This has been quite the emotional ride for Canadian bettors. After the downturn in Game 2, many were quick to abandon hope.

Mariners’ Miller Aiming for a Game 1 Repeat

Two former Cy Young winners, Shane Bieber and Scherzer, delivered outstanding performances in Seattle, altering the series’ momentum. Canadians often swing from one emotional extreme to another at breakneck speed, especially concerning their professional sports teams. Following Game 2 on Tuesday, there was a sense of gloom, but now the mood is upbeat and optimistic.

This evening, Game 5 is slated for a 6:08 p.m. EST start, featuring Kevin Gausman on the mound for the Jays as he faces the Mariners’ Bryce Miller, marking a rematch from Game 1. Gausman suffered a loss in Game 1 but performed well overall, pitching 5.2 innings with three hits, two runs, and five strikeouts.

The Blue Jays are retaining the same lineup for Game 5.

A representative from DraftKings noted that a staggering 93% of the betting handle and 85% of wagers support the Blue Jays ML tonight (Jays -116, Mariners -105).

Canadian Bettors Rallying Behind the Blue Jays’ ML

As previously noted, Canadian bettors show immense support for their teams, and these DraftKings stats reveal just how devoted they are.

“Fans have a natural inclination to back their local teams, and the enthusiasm is evident for the Blue Jays tonight,” stated Johnny Avello, DraftKings’ Director of Race & Sportsbook. “With their sights set on completing the comeback, Ontario bettors are showing strong faith in the Jays for their first series advantage.”

A spokesperson from PointsBet Canada mentioned that the number of bets has increased by 33% since the Jays arrived in Seattle trailing 2-0.

Canadian Sportsbooks Feeling the Pressure

As of this afternoon, ESPN BET reports that 67% of bets and 88.4% of the handle are on Jays -1.5; 69.9% of bets and 58.7% of the handle are on Blue Jays ML -120, with 16.9% of bets and 77.7% of the handle on Under 7.5. After trailing 2-0, Seattle had odds of –550 to win the series, while Toronto sat at +400. Presently, the odds at ESPN.BET reflect Seattle Even/Toronto –120.

“Following the initial two losses, the championship and World Series odds for the Jays almost doubled,” explained Phill Gray, former head of trading operations at Sports Interaction and now a sports betting consultant. “Canadian bettors often favor their emotions over logic in their wagers.”

“Even after those two losses, there was heavy betting on the inflated odds for Toronto. Live betting was particularly active, especially with the one-sided scores, as fans bet on the underdog hoping for a massive comeback, reminiscent of the Yankees’ performance in the ALDS. It’s back to the ‘sweat’ for Canadian sportsbooks. The total at 7 is notable, given that three of the four games exceeded that score.”