Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker initially dismissed concerns about Max Scherzer’s hamstring issue affecting the team’s playoff rotation, but he was singing a different tune on Sunday.
An MRI revealed Scherzer, who left his start on Saturday in the fourth inning, has a slight tweak in his hamstring. Scherzer wasn’t ready to say Sunday whether he’d be able to start in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs. But Baker said the issue would “probably” impact the rotation.
Dusty said Scherzer's hamstring "probably" affects the NLDS rotation order.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 1, 2017
The Nats host Games 1 and 2 of the NLDS against the Cubs on Friday and Saturday. Game 3 would be on Monday, Oct. 9 in Chicago.
Washington could probably go with Stephen Strasburg in Game 1 if they want to move Scherzer back, and they could even use Gio Gonzalez in Game 2 to give Scherzer even more time. All three have pitched at All-Star levels this season and have ERAs under 3.00.
