Max Scherzer will go to the mound at Dodger Stadium against a hostile crowd that hasn’t forgotten his controversial exit four years ago. Back then, he opted out of starting Game 6 of the 2021 NLCS, citing a fatigued arm. This led to the Dodgers getting knocked out of the playoffs, and the fans haven’t forgotten that.

The three-time Cy Young winner should get ready for a “rude” welcome in Los Angeles. Scherzer said he couldn’t pitch in that important playoff game in 2021 because his arm was fatigued. Dodgers fans still remember that moment with pain. Now that the World Series is tied 1-1 after Toronto lost Game 2 5-1, Scherzer has to deal with the fallout from that choice. The Blue Jays really need the veteran to step up after their offense only scored one run at Rogers Centre. This is part of a worrying trend that saw them score only seven runs in three August games in Los Angeles.

In ALCS Game 4 against Seattle, Scherzer came through when it mattered most, giving up only two runs in 5⅔ innings after being out for three weeks. The performance showed that he can still step up when it matters most. “This is what you play for, to be able to get to this spot, to get to this moment, to have a shot at it,” Scherzer reflected on reaching his third World Series. “There are so many great players that have never gotten to a World Series, so many great players where they only have one World Series.”

Tyler Glasnow will be standing across from him. He has been great this postseason, giving up only one run in 11⅔ innings against Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Glasnow has a big advantage when he plays at home. He has a 2.77 ERA in 11 starts at Dodger Stadium during the regular season, but a 4.08 ERA on the road. The Dodgers’ momentum and Glasnow’s powerful play at home could put an end to Toronto’s hopes of winning the championship before they can get going in a hostile environment.

Los Angeles’s confidence didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It came from a Game 2 performance that showed everyone why the Dodgers were the favorites going into this series.

Yamamoto powers Dodgers back into World Series

That momentum comes from what happened in Game 2, when the Los Angeles Dodgers finally got the answer they needed. Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a complete game that was so good that his teammates couldn’t find the right words to describe how dominant he was.

The right-hander cut through Toronto’s lineup with the precision of a surgeon, giving up only one run on four hits and striking out eight batters in nine innings. Dave Roberts, the manager, saw something special in his 26-year-old ace.

“He said before the Series, ‘Losing is not an option,'” Roberts told reporters after the 5-1 victory. “And he had that look tonight.” Shortstop Mookie Betts struggled to find adequate words for what he witnessed from the dugout: “Amazing. I’ve been playing a long time, but I haven’t ever seen anything like this.” 

Yamamoto already pitched a full game like this in Game 2 of the NLCS against Milwaukee, giving up one run on three hits. Pitching coach Mark Prior said what made him so great in the postseason was: “The process of him reading and reacting each inning, trying to get an idea of what they’re trying to do, and then just trying to pivot and counter with his stuff and his arsenal—he’s in a very good spot right now.”

When Will Smith and Max Muncy hit home runs in the seventh inning, the offense gave them important help. Smith’s solo home run put Los Angeles ahead for good, and he ended the game with three RBIs while catching Yamamoto’s strong outing.