The Washington Nationals return home with a 2-0 lead in the World Series, and they may be trying to do all they can to slam the door on the opposition.
Speaking to the media before Game 3 against the Houston Astros on Friday, Nats manager Davey Martinez said lefty Patrick Corbin would not be available out of the bullpen for the game. “That doesn’t mean you won’t see somebody else,” Martinez added unprompted though. Team beat writer Jesse Dougherty speculated that he might be referring to ace righty Max Scherzer.
Scherzer started and won Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday, throwing 112 pitches over five innings. That would give him two full days of rest if he were indeed to come out of the bullpen for Washington on Friday.
The three-time Cy Young winner also appeared in relief during the NLDS, much to the astonishment of the opposing team. While the Nats won’t have the element of surprise this time, sweeping the Astros would mean Scherzer wouldn’t have to start again, giving them incentive to go for the kill right now.
