The Washington Nationals suffered a major blow hours before Game 5 of the World Series.
Scheduled starter Max Scherzer has been scratched with back issues and will be replaced by Joe Ross. Stephen Strasburg will still start Game 6. It is unclear if Scherzer will be available for Game 6 if necessary.
Scherzer scratched for tonight due to issue in his trap/neck area. Received injection. #Nationals still hopeful he can pitch Game 7, if necessary. Joe Ross starts tonight. Anibal Sanchez available in relief.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 27, 2019
Current plan is for Strasburg to pitch Game 6 regardless. Question is whether Scherzer can return for Game 7, if necessary.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 27, 2019
The Nationals are facing Gerrit Cole in Game 5. On paper, Cole vs. Ross is a huge advantage for the Houston Astros, but the Nationals had the favorable matchup in Game 4 and got blown out. Washington has to hope the tables turn here. If they don’t, they’ll be down 3-2 heading back to Houston.
Scherzer missed about a month with back problems during the season, and admitted that the issue still made him nervous even after he returned. It looks to have flared up again at the worst possible time.
