Will Max Scherzer start Game 7 for Dodgers?

If the Los Angeles Dodgers do force a Game 7, Max Scherzer could get the call from manager Dave Roberts against the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves really, really do not want to face the Dodgers ace in a winner-take-all situation. Scherzer will not start Game 6, though he could be available if Roberts prefers it out of the bullpen.

Arguably the best-case scenario for Roberts would be an easy win in Game 6, in which he didn’t have to use Scherzer. This would mean the trade deadline target would be all but guaranteed to start on the bump in Game 7.

The Braves blew a 3-1 advantage to the Dodgers in 2020. Doing so again in 2021 would be a symbol of organizational failure from the top-down.

Dodgers: Max Scherzer’s arm is dead

“I would just say my arm was dead,” Scherzer said after Game 2. “I could tell when I was warming up that it was still tired.”

Roberts didn’t want to place unfair expectations on Scherzer.

“I don’t know until we get there. I really don’t. He’s doing his work and preparing. … Whatever he can give us. We’re going to have guys around him to help us win a ballgame,” Roberts said.

The Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches in the pitching staff. Even without Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler would be an ace in most rotations. Scherzer will be the face of the 2022 free agent class. Julio Urias had 20 wins and an ERA under three. And we haven’t even gotten to Kenley Jansen, Brudar Graterol and the Dodgers bullpen.

If Buehler can give the Dodgers a decent start, it’ll make Roberts look smart for passing over Scherzer (for now) in hopes of a Game 7.