Right-hander Max Scherzer will start a potential Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday night, the Washington Nationals announced Tuesday.
The Nationals first must beat the Houston Astros in Game 6 on Tuesday night and even the series at 3-3 to have the Scherzer outing officially become a go. He was scratched from his scheduled Game 5 start on Sunday due to neck spasms and trapezius irritation.
“Max will pitch (in Game 7) until his neck decides he’s not going to pitch anymore,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said in his pregame press conference.
Scherzer threw a session in left field prior to Tuesday’s game and declared himself as “I’m good,” when he passed a few reporters.
Scherzer received a painkiller injection on Sunday and said at the time it would take up to 48 hours to have an effect.
Scherzer is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA (six earned runs in 25 innings) during this postseason. He picked up the victory in Game 1 of the World Series when he gave up two runs and five hits over five innings.
Also, catcher Kurt Suzuki (hip) is available to pinch hit in Game 6 and could possibly catch Scherzer in Game 7, according to Martinez.
Washington’s Stephen Strasburg and Houston’s Justin Verlander square off Tuesday night when the Astros look to win their second World Series crown in three seasons.