The Nationals will start Stephen Strasburg in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Cubs but their rotation following that is up in the air.
NL Cy Young contender Max Scherzer has been dealing with a hamstring injury suffered in his last start of the season. The Nationals are trying to determine if Scherzer or Gio Gonzalez will start the second game of the series. It is important to understand that by pitching Game 2, the Nationals would have access to Scherzer in a potential win or go home Game 5 while they would not have him for that game if he were to pitch the third game of the series.
Dusty says Strasburg to start Game 1, scherzer to throw pen today, Game 2-3 starters TBA
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) October 5, 2017
Strasburg finished the season 15-4 with a 2.52 ERA across 28 starts leading the league with a 2.72 FIP. He will be opposed by Kyle Hendricks of the Cubs who are also dealing with some minor injuries to their pitchers. Jake Arrieta is also dealing with a hamstring issue and has been relegated to the third game of the series while Jon Lester has been dealing with shoulder fatigue.
The winner of this series will face the winner of the series between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks.
