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

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.