Max Scherzer, one of the greatest pitchers of the generation, showed he still has his competitive fire on the mound, after a reaction on the mound with manager John Schneider

On Thursday night, he saw the dramatic scene on the mound in Seattle, when Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer barked at John Schneider as the Toronto manager went to have a conversation with the future Hall of Famer, debating a pitching change with a Mariners runner on in the fifth inning.

In October, every pitch, swing, play and decision is heightened everywhere. On the field, in the dugout, in the game-planning meetings pregame and, more than any time or any other place, after the game is played out and the result of all those decisions are final.

Max Scherzer, making his first start of the postseason, led Toronto over Seattle on Thursday night to even the ALCS at two games apiece.

From a leadership perspective, Blue Jays manager John Schneider's mound visit with pitcher Max Scherzer was revealing and fascinating.