Dodgers turn to Scherzer again for Game 1

ATLANTA — Max Scherzer is lined up 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 tonight 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.

On Friday night, Roberts couldn’t confirm Scherzer definitely will start.

“He’s going to go out and play catch and get treatment and if says he’s good to go he’ll be our Game 1 starter,” Roberts said.

Roberts said his backup plan would be a bullpen game, with Tony Gonsolin one of the pitchers used.

Following Thursday night’s 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.