Scherzer set to start opener
L.A . pitcher who closed Game 5 win in NLDS to get ball first vs. Atlanta
Max Scherzer is expected to throw the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first pitch in the NL Championship Series only two days after delivering the final pitch in their NL Division Seriesclinching win.
Unusual? Yes. And yet no one is surprised.
“That is Scherzer being Scherzer,” teammate Cody Bellinger said.
Scherzer is expected to face Braves left-hander Max Fried in Game 1 on Saturday night in an NLCS rematch. The Dodgers beat the Braves in seven games in last year’s NLCS before winning the World Series.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he plans to start Scherzer even after the NL Cy Young Award contender earned his first career save in a 2-1 victory over San Francisco on Thursday night in Game 5 of the NLDS.
Following the game, Robert said he understood “there might be a cost” in using Scherzer in the closing role as the Dodgers faced the quick turnaround before opening the NLCS.
Whatever that cost, the plan is for Scherzer to start the opener.
“That won’t surprise me,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said Friday before Atlanta’s workout at Truist Park.
Snitker said Scherzer’s 13-pitch ninth inning was like an off-day session in the bullpen.
“That’s kind of like a side for him right there,” Snitker said. “The guy is just a different animal. I mean, he’s a Hall of Famer and those guys, man they’re cut from a different cloth than normal guys so it won’t surprise me at all if he shows up and is on the mound.”
Scherzer recorded two strikeouts, including a controversial check swing by Wilmer Flores to end the game. First base umpire Gabe Morales ruled Flores swung, though TV replays indicated Flores held up.
Scherzer was 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA for Washington and Los Angeles this season, including 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 11 starts for the Dodgers. He has pitched 121⁄3 innings over three appearances in the playoffs, allowing two runs and six hits with 16 strikeouts.