Reds Blue Jays: Scherzer may pitch career finale today
The Cincinnati Reds face the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Rogers Centre in both teams' season finale. Brandon Williamson starts opposite Max Scherzer, who may be making his last career start. First pitch is set for 3:07 p.m. ET. More on the reds blue jays matchup as two clubs close out campaigns without October baseball.
Key Takeaways
- Both the Reds and Blue Jays finish the 2026 season on Sunday with no playoff berth.
- Brandon Williamson (5-4, 4.89 ERA) starts for Cincinnati; Max Scherzer (3-9, 6.14 ERA) starts for Toronto.
- First pitch is 3:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre, with TV on Sportsnet/SNET and Reds.TV.
- Toronto is the betting favorite; Scherzer's outing may be his final career start.
- If Scherzer strikes out 11 Reds, he would pass Justin Verlander on the all-time strikeout list.
What is at stake in the reds blue jays season finale?
Today is the last game of the 2026 season for the Cincinnati Reds, who have already clinched last place in the National League Central and missed the playoffs after 86 losses, according to Yahoo Sports.
It is also the final regular-season game for the Toronto Blue Jays. After coming within earshot of a World Series title a season ago, Toronto's year collapsed early, and the club wraps with no postseason on the schedule. The Athletic lists the Blue Jays at 78-83 and fifth in the AL East, with the Reds at 75-86 and fifth in the NL Central.
For fans who follow more than box scores, BlasterPost also tracks oddball sports moments in Bizarre News & Florida Man.
Why does Max Scherzer's start matter so much?
Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer gets the ball for Toronto, and the outing may be the final game of his career. Just a day earlier, former teammate Justin Verlander pitched for the last time with Detroit. Verlander sits one spot ahead of Scherzer among the Top 10 strikeout leaders of all time.
Yahoo Sports notes that if Scherzer fans 11 Reds, he would pass Verlander on that list. Covers.com adds that Scherzer has dominated this Cincinnati lineup at a 35% strikeout clip and is coming off a seven-strikeout performance. Betting markets list Toronto as a favorite around -175 to -169 on the moneyline.
How can you watch the reds blue jays game today?
Lefty Brandon Williamson starts for Cincinnati. Covers.com lists him at 5-4 with a 4.89 ERA, while Scherzer is 3-9 with a 6.14 ERA. First pitch is 3:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
According to The Athletic, the game airs on SNET and Reds.TV, with streaming available via Fubo. Sportsnet is also cited as a TV option. Sal Stewart, among the Reds' top RBI producers this season, remains a player to watch as Cincinnati tries to finish with a win.
Whether Scherzer's day becomes a farewell or simply one more start, the reds blue jays finale closes the book on two seasons that fell short of October baseball.