Washington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin, who made a relief appearance in Game 1 of the World Series, will return to his regular role as a starter in Game 4 on Saturday against the visiting Houston Astros.
Manager Dave Martinez made the announcement Thursday on the teams’ off day. The Nationals won the first two games of the best-of-seven series in Houston. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday in Washington, the first World Series game in the nation’s capital since 1933.
Washington’s Anibal Sanchez will oppose Houston’s Zack Greinke in a showdown of right-handers in Game 3.
Corbin struck out two in a scoreless sixth inning in the series opener on Tuesday, helping the Nationals hold on for a 5-4 win.
The 30-year-old veteran has made two starts in the postseason.
Corbin took the loss in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out nine in six innings. He earned the win in the clinching Game 4 of the NL Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out 12 while yielding four runs in five innings.
Including his four relief outings, Corbin is 1-2 with a 6.91 ERA in this year’s playoffs.
In the regular season, he went 14-7 with a 3.25 ERA, tying his career highs in wins and starts (33).
The Astros had yet to announce a Game 4 starter as of Thursday.