Washington Nationals: Scherzer’s neck spasm changes complexion of series
Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer was scratched from Game 5 due to neck spasms, but here’s what that means for the rest of the series.
The Washington Nationals needed to win Game 5. Like Badly.
They were up 2-0 in the series going back home but then had lost two straight to the Astros after the Nats offense had suddenly gone silent.
They had a glimmer of hope to be heading back to Houston with a 3-2 series lead, of course until Max Scherzer called Dave Martinez and told him there was no way he was going to pitch on Sunday night, as he couldn’t even dress himself.
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But Scherzer’s injury didn’t just change Game 5 but it changed the whole series.
With Max Scherzer on the bump, the Nats at least had a chance to steal Game 5 against Gerrit Cole, but when they had to put Joe Ross out there, Houston’s confidence went through the roof.
Houston went onto win Game 5 and are going to Houston with a 3-2 series lead with Justin Verlander on the mound.
But let’s play hypotheticals for a moment.
If Scherzer were to lead the Nats to a win in Game 5, they wouldn’t just have a one-game lead in the World Series, but Houston would have to face the Nats’ most dominant pitcher as of now, Stephen Strasburg, with their backs against the wall.
I am not a Houston Astros fan, but if I were I would not be confident that my team would have been able to come back and win two games in a row regardless of who was on the mound for us.
But the Nats are now facing elimination and could be heading home before Max Scherzer has the chance to take the ball in Game 7 if they lose to Justin Verlander in Game 6.
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The Nationals still have a chance to come back and win their first championship, but their chances definitely were lowered when Scherzer woke up and couldn’t get out of bed.