NLDS Game 4, Nationals vs. Cubs: Highlights, recap and more

The Washington Nationals defeated the Chicago Cubs, 5-0, in Game 4 of the 2017 NLDS in Chicago.

A rain delay and a pitching saga headlined the hype up to Game 4. The Nationals dominated storylines going into the game and for a majority of the game itself, the script was the same. Up until a few hours before first pitch, it was Tanner Roark who was slated to take the bump for the Nationals. However, having recovered from his alleged sickness, Strasburg was named the starter.

All things considered, the Nationals and their fans are grateful that Strasburg ended up starting. The Cubs, on the other hand, are not. They would’ve rather faced Roark, that’s for sure. Meanwhile, the two offenses remained stagnant for a majority of the game. Trea Turner scored in the third inning to break the stalemate between the two teams. Addison Russell’s error put the Nationals on top 1-0.

Furthermore, Cubs starter Jake Arrieta was replaced by Jon Lester after four innings of work. Arrieta struggled to find the strike zone, walking five batters through four innings. However, he did not allow any runs. Lester came in for relief and did his usual thing — until the 8th inning. Lester and reliever Carl Edwards Jr. managed to load the bases before Wade Davis entered the game to try and get out of the jam. Unfortunately for Cubs fans, he could not get out of the inning unscathed.

Instead, it was centerfielder Michael Taylor who crushed a two-out grand-slam to extend the Nats’ lead to five. The five-run deficit was too much for the Cubs to overcome. In the end, it was Sean Doolittle who came in to close the game for the Nationals and seal the win. The Nats and Cubs now head back to D.C. for a winner-take-all Game 5 for a chance to play the Dodgers in the NLCS.

Three Stars

1. Stephen Strasburg: 7.0IP, 3H, 0ER, 2BB, 12K. The stat line says it all for Strasburg, who was absolutely phenomenal when his team needed him most.
2. Michael Taylor: Taylor’s grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning gave the Nationals a 5-0 lead late in the game.
3. Trea Turner: Although Turner finished with just one hit, he scored the go-ahead run for the Nationals in the third inning that kicked off the scoring.

Highlights

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Next Game

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals will travel back to Washington D.C. for a win-or-go-home Game 5 of the NLDS. First pitch is slated for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 12 from Nationals Park. TBS will broadcast the do-or-die Game 5 of the NLDS.