So close, yet so far. The LA Dodgers suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Braves yet again in Game 2 of the NLCS yesterday. Although they produced impressive baseball in the Truist Park, they succumbed to another clutch play from the Braves in the final inning.
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While some Dodgers players had a good outing in Atlanta yesterday, Max Scherzer had a difficult one. Following yesterday’s defeat, the 37-year-old spoke about the struggle he faced with his arm on the pitcher’s mound.
Max Scherzer reveals his struggles on the mound in Saturday’s loss
Scherzer joined the Dodgers this season after spending six years with the Washington Nationals. Since joining the franchise, the 37-year-old made quite the impression in key moments and earned a spot in this year’s MLB All-Star Game.
He also pitched the final inning in Game 5 of this year’s NLDS against the San Francisco Giants, where he restricted the NL West champions from scoring any runs to send the Dodgers to the NLCS. While he basked in those moments, he failed to reproduce that level of pitching in Truist Park yesterday.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 17, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) cycles through a pitch during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the 2021 NLCS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Scherzer pitched four innings in the game and conceded a two-run home run to Joc Pederson which tied the game. Ultimately, the Braves secured a walk-off victory as Eddie Rosario scored an RBI to give them a 5-4 victory.
During a press conference after the loss, Scherzer revealed his arm felt tired while there wasn’t anything too serious. He said, “What I’m dealing with is just my arm’s dead. It wasn’t like I’m dealing with tendons or ligaments… I wasn’t dealing with red flag injuries, it was just my arm was tired.”
READ MORE: WATCH: Max Scherzer Goes Crazy as Los Angeles Dodgers Beat San Francisco Giants to Clinch NLDS
Can the LA Dodgers make a comeback?
The reigning World Series champions find themselves in a corner after losing the first two games in Atlanta. However, the series now shifts to their home of Dodger Stadium, where they often thrive.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 17, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) pulls starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) cycles during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the 2021 NLCS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
During the regular season, the Dodgers beat the Braves in four out of their six meetings. Three of those victories came in a three game series in LA, where the former swept the latter. Hence, they can rely on their exceptional record at home to bounce back in the series, starting with Game 3, which takes place tomorrow.
