Fresh off a stirring win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLDS, the surprising Washington Nationals are already preparing for Game 1 of the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
Given the action Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg saw in the previous round, it’s not a surprise that neither will start Game 1. Instead, those duties will presumably go to fellow veteran Aníbal Sánchez.
The 35-year-old Sánchez might not be an ace, but he’s been darn good. The former ERA title winner gave up just one run and four hits while striking out nine in five innings in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers.
Sanchez has posted a combined 2.98 ERA in nine career postseason appearances.
Based on this note, Scherzer will likely get the call in Game 2 in St. Louis on Saturday with Strasburg going on Monday in D.C. Both would be pitching on normal four days’ rest.