It’s do-or-die time for the Dodgers and Giants. After an incredibly hard-fought season that ended with just a game between the 2 NL West rivals, it all comes down to Game 5 of the National League Division Series. The winner moves on to play the Braves and the loser goes home disappointed in a season that saw them win 109 total games.
Naturally, the Dodgers and Giants are both expected to have all hands on deck for Game 5. The only real exceptions would be Game 4 starters Walker Buehler and Anthony DeSclafani. But Dave Roberts also has one other guy that likely will not make an appearance.
Doc had noted after the win on Wednesday that it was not impossible for Max Scherzer to make a relief appearance. He sort of backpedaled on that today during his media session, noting that it was unlikely for Scherzer to come in out of the bullpen.
Roberts followed up and said that it is highly unlikey that Scherzer would come out of the bullpen tomorrow.
Ideally, he will be starting Game 1 of the NLCS. They will talk about it though, because they still need to make it there.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 13, 2021
And that’s probably for the best. The Dodgers will enter Game 5 with a fully rested bullpen, so going to a guy that just threw 110 pitches on Monday seems less than ideal. Scherzer would also presumably be the Game 1 starter should they advance to the Championship Series, which starts on Saturday.
Dodgers Related: Things to Worry About in Game 5
So while we will not see Mad Max behind Julio in this one, expect Doc to empty his bullpen if needed. Guys like Corey Knebel, Blake Treinen, Joe Kelly, and Kenley Jansen could also see work on a night that decides the future of the season.
Dodgers: Nothing Was Going to Stop Walker Buehler From Taking the Mound in Game 4