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.

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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