Dodgers' Scherzer available out of bullpen for Game 5

Max Scherzer will be ready out of the bullpen for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, he told the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes.

Scherzer started Game 3 on Monday, throwing 110 pitches across seven innings. The right-hander allowed three hits and one earned run during a 1-0 loss.

If he's called upon, it wouldn't be Scherzer's first time in a relief role during a playoff game. The 37-year-old most recently made a postseason relief appearance for the Washington Nationals during Game 2 of the 2019 NLDS, striking out the side during his lone inning against the Dodgers.

The NL Cy Young front-runner has been terrific for Los Angeles since the team acquired him prior to the trade deadline, going 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA over 11 regular-season starts.

"Mad Max" also pitched well during the NL wild-card game, tossing 4 1/3 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals while allowing one earned run and three hits.

Corey Knebel is starting Thursday's contest for the Dodgers, who are also expected to use 20-game winner Julio Urias at some point.