TORONTO — The Los Angeles Dodgers maintain a quiet demeanor regarding the lingering emotions from 2021, a year marked by both high hopes and significant disappointments. At the center of this narrative is Max Scherzer, who was acquired by the Dodgers to bolster their pitching lineup, particularly after a notable trade deadline acquisition. His anticipated leadership was aimed at securing the Dodgers’ second consecutive World Series title; however, fate had other plans.
In the pivotal Game 6 of the 2021 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves, Scherzer was scheduled to take the mound but ultimately withdrew due to fatigue, citing a tired arm. Instead, Walker Buehler stepped in, but the Dodgers fell short, losing and ending their postseason run, leaving Scherzer without another opportunity to pitch in a Dodgers uniform.
Fast forward to the present, and Scherzer is set to start Game 3 of the World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium, an opportunity that could threaten the Dodgers’ chance for a back-to-back championship. Despite the weight of the past and what could be perceived as a chance for revenge, Scherzer remains focused and insists that his motivation is wholly about winning with his current team. “I wouldn’t characterize it like that,” he stated. “I’m here to compete. I’m here to win… I have plenty of motivation.”
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award recipient and two-time World Series champion, enjoyed great success after joining the Dodgers in 2021, recording a stellar 1.98 ERA in 11 regular-season starts. However, the disappointment of the 2021 postseason still stings, especially considering he signed a lucrative three-year, $130 million deal with the New York Mets following their loss. After shoulder injuries sidelined Buehler for most of 2022, the Dodgers now find themselves potentially at odds with their former ace on the biggest stage.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledges Scherzer’s unmatched competitiveness, remarking, “Max, he’s one of one…I really enjoyed managing a future Hall of Famer.” Scherzer’s determination is well known, exemplified recently when he refused to exit a game against the Mariners, emphasizing his resilience.
As he prepares to pitch in his fourth World Series, Scherzer credits Blue Jays veteran Chris Bassitt for convincing him of the team’s championship potential following a last-place finish in the AL East the previous year. “He has a really good pulse on what this clubhouse and the team needed,” Scherzer said. “When things started moving in my direction, it just kind of seemed to all click.”
Despite facing challenges this season, including injuries that led to being excluded from the AL Division Series, Scherzer rebounded in the ALCS, showcasing his skills and helping propel the Blue Jays into the five-game series.
“This is what you play for,” Scherzer reflected on the opportunity before him. With the prospect of becoming the only pitcher to secure three Cy Young awards and three World Series titles with three different teams, Scherzer finds renewed excitement in the competition.
“This type of opportunity to play in this type of environment — there’s nothing like it,” he said, highlighting not just the thrill of the game but the honor of competing at the highest level. Scherzer’s journey, whether it marks a finale or a continuation, embodies the spirit of baseball and its capacity to thrill and inspire.