LEADING OFF: Closer to starter, Scherzer lined up for Game 1

A look at what's happening around the majors on Saturday:

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MAX EFFORT

Dodgers ace Max Scherzer got the last three outs in the thrilling Game 5 of the NL Divsion Series and is now lined up to throw the first pitch for Los Angeles in the NL Championship Series.

Yes, with only full day off in between.

“That is Scherzer being Scherzer,” teammate Cody Bellinger said.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he aims to start Scherzer at Atlanta even after the three-time Cy Young Award winner earned his first pro save in a 2-1 victory at San Francisco on Thursday night.

“He’s going to go out and play catch and get treatment and if says he’s good to go he’ll be our Game 1 starter,” Roberts said.

Roberts said his backup plan would be a bullpen game, with Tony Gonsolin one of the pitchers used.

Scherzer was 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA for Washington and Los Angeles during the regular season. He’s pitched 12 1/3 innings over three appearances in the playoffs, allowing two runs and six hits with 16 strikeouts.

Max Fried (14-7, 3.04 ERA) moved up as Atlanta’s Game 1 starter after Charlie Morton pitched on short rest in the Braves’ 5-4 clinching win over Milwaukee in the NL Division Series.

HOME ON THE ROAD

Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi will have a homecoming of sorts when he starts Game 2 of the AL Championship Series against the host Astros.

Eovaldi grew up in the Houston suburb of Alvin, also home to Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, and visited the Astrodome and Minute Maid Park often growing up.

“It’s definitely one of my favorite ballparks to pitch in,” Eovaldi said.

Eovaldi loved the Killer B’s of Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman as a kid and enjoyed seeing Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte pitch for the Astros when he was in high...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Closer-to-starter-Scherzer-lined-up-16537011.php