The Los Angeles Dodgers knocked out the San Francisco Giants in Game 5 of the NLDS on Thursday, and Dodgers ace Max Scherzer got the final out of the contest.
L.A. turned to Scherzer on short rest for the final three outs of the game, and the righty delivered.
It was his most recent achievement in his historic run with the Dodgers.
The 37-year-old is continuing to prove that L.A.’s acquisition for him was one of the best deadline deals in MLB history.
Scherzer Has Been Electric Throughout The Postseason
It’s probably safe to assume that Scherzer’s stellar postseason track record was a factor when the Dodgers decided to trade for him.
The future Hall of Famer has always risen to the occasion in the playoffs.
This year has been no different in that regard.
Scherzer started the Wild Card Game for L.A. and gave the team 4.1 quality innings, allowing just one run on three hits.
Obviously, the Dodgers got the win in that game.
His next outing came in Game 3 of the NLCS, and it was a gem.
The veteran tossed seven innings of one-run ball, fanning 10 and allowing just three hits.
Max Scherzer (37y, 76d) is the oldest @Dodgers pitcher with a 10+ K #postseason game since Sal Maglie in 1956 (World Series Game 1). pic.twitter.com/XQKPdtBTWF
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 12, 2021
Unfortunately for him, he took a tough-luck loss in this one by a 1-0 score.
But that game probably isn’t on his mind anymore.
Not after Thursday night, anyway.
His save in Game 5 of the NLDS was the first of his career, and it sent the Dodgers to the NLCS.
Sure, maybe he had a little bit of help from the first-base umpire on the final pitch of the game, but that’s just the way it goes.
Flores was 0-for-17 with 8 K's lifetime vs. Scherzer and finished 1-for-12 in the series. Reality is SF lost this series because they averaged 2 R/G, hit .182, .120 w/ RISP. Giants were tough, but the better team won the series. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/cdtVo0JyLL
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) October 15, 2021
Scherzer has a 1.46 ERA this postseason and will look to maintain it in the next round.
He’s in L.A. to win a title, and he’s going to do everything in his power to get the job done.
He Remains An Ideal Fit With The Dodgers
It remains to be seen which MLB uniform Scherzer will wear in 2022 and beyond, but it certainly seems like he’s an ideal fit in Dodger Blue.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner has played some of the best baseball of his career since being traded to L.A.
In addition to his 1.46 ERA in the 2021 playoffs, he finished the regular season with a 1.98 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, and 0.82 WHIP over 11 starts with the Dodgers.
His last two regular-season starts were rocky, so his 1.98 ERA doesn’t even tell the whole story.
He had a 0.78 ERA with L.A. as late as September 23.
Postseason included, he has allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of his 13 starts with the Dodgers.
These are some once-in-a-generation type accomplishments, and they’re all unfolding in front of our eyes.
Even if Scherzer doesn’t re-sign with L.A., he has a chance to become a Dodgers legend in these playoffs.
If he can help the team win its second consecutive World Series title, folks in Los Angeles will be eternally grateful for his time with the organization.
We’ll have to wait and see if that possibility becomes a reality.
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