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Dodgers: 3 reasons starting Max Scherzer in possible NLWC Game is easiest decision ever

By Jamaal Artis |
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue in their quest to repeat as World Series champions, but as September turns to October the Dodgers still find themselves in a dogfight for first place in the NL West.

As of this writing despite having the second-best record in all of baseball the Dodgers are one game behind their rivals the San Francisco Giants, meaning if the season ended today they’d play in the do-or-die NL Wild Card Game.

The prospect of the season ending after the 163rd game is stressful just thinking about it. Fear not though, because the Dodgers have an ace up their sleeve that should be striking fear into either the Cardinals, Reds, Padres or Phillies/Braves (it’s getting wild!)

Max Scherzer has been nothing but dominant with the Dodgers since coming over in the blockbuster trade deadline deal. He’s 7-0 with a ridiculous 0.78 ERA, 79 strikeouts and just seven walks. They’ve yet to lose a game he’s started. And that’s why he’s the easy choice to toe the slab if the Dodgers are on the brink and need that victory to keep the season alive.

3. Against the Field

At the time of this writing, there are four teams with an outside chance of securing the second sport in a Wild Card game. The St Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, or Philadelphia Phillies could meet the Dodgers with a chance to advance to the NLDS.

Against those teams in 2021, Scherzer is 8-1 with a 1.89 ERA in 12 starts. He’s struck out 100 batters in 76 1/3 innings while walking just 16. Most of his starts were when he was with the Washington Nationals, but consider this with the Dodgers: in five starts totaling 34 innings, Scherzer has given up just two earned runs while striking out 45 and walking THREE!

Now he’s backed by one of the league’s best offenses.

(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

2. Dodgers’ staff to begin the NLDS will be … really good

The Los Angeles Dodgers have the best pitching staff in baseball, leading the league with a collective 2.94 ERA. The starters are even better with a 2.81 ERA, and Scherzer’s helped massively with that sterling number. But he’s also been alongside some good company.

Julio Urias leads the NL in wins (18). Walker Buehler is top-five in ERA, wins, WHIP, and innings pitched. Clayton Kershaw has returned from his injury just in time to gear up for the postseason. The Dodgers can easily cruise through an NLDS if Scherzer has to get pushed back because of his Wild Card Game outing.

But even so, the rest of the rotation’s current situation proves Scherzer needs to be starting the one-game playoff of that’s what it comes to.

The Dodgers could slot Urias, Buehler, or Kershaw and get a quality start, but there are more risks. Urias has already blew by career highs in starts (29) and innings pitched (168). In his last start, the Dodgers limited Urias to just five innings in order to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Similary, Buehler similarly will have made the most starts and pitch the most innings in his career when the season is done. Why put overworked guys in a do-or-die situation if you don’t have to?

Kershaw just returned from the IL and needs to be built back up. Scherzer’s durability and experience as an ace for the better part of the last decade is enough to end this “debate.”

Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Intangibles

Statistically, few can match Scherzer. He’s in the top five of most major categories in the National League and leads in ERA (2.17), WHIP (0.82), and opponents’ batting average (.175). Scherzer’s greatness isn’t just measured by the numbers, though. He also possesses intangibles needed in a do-or-die game.

Scherzer is famous for the intensity he brings to the game. He wears his nickname “Mad Max” as a badge of honor. When he pitches, his ultra focus drives him to succeed to the point all his teammates know to stay away from him.

When he was with the Washington Nationals, he pitched Game 7 of the 2019 World Series with a sore neck that had kept him from pitching in Game 5. Scherzer was so hampered he needed his wife to help him get dressed before the game. Despite the pain, he still managed to throw five innings of two-run ball to keep the Nats in it and eventually propel them to the franchise’s first championship. Nothing will hold this guy down.

The Dodgers need that kind of intensity and willingness to push their limits for them to go back-to-back. And Mad Max is ready to answer the call.

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