Stephen Strasburg will now start Game 4 for the Nationals

A day after reportedly declining the start in a must-win game, Stephen Strasburg will now take the ball for the Washington Nationals.

With the weather cooperating in Chicago, all signs pointed to Stephen Strasburg taking the ball for Game 4 of the NLDS following an extra day of rest thanks to a rainout. This would be the biggest chance ever for Strasburg — who was famously held out of the playoffs in 2012 because of durability concerns — to show that he is worth every penny of his $175-million contract with the Washington Nationals.

Details are still sketchy because someone is likely covering for someone else, but Strasburg reportedly declined the offer from manager Dusty Baker to take the ball on Wednesday afternoon, on regular rest, because he was not feeling well after a light running session on Tuesday afternoon. Baker was on the record as saying Tanner Roark would still make the start because Strasburg had already thrown a bullpen even though it was clear the game would be rained out.

Naturally, a firestorm of criticism began raining down on Strasburg almost as soon as the news broke that he would not be starting the must-win Game 4. World Series hero David Ross had some very harsh criticism for Strasburg.

"“If I’m his teammate and I run into him the next day, I can’t make eye contact with this dude. This is as bad as it gets for me as a teammate.”"

Less than a day later, it appears Strasburg has had a change of heart after being roasted in the media and forcing his manager to publicly fall on his sword to take the heat off his player. Baker also made vague comments about the mold in the Wrigley Field clubhouses, which is probably true, but still.

This whole situation has been a debacle for the Nationals, but in the end, they will get their Game 1 starter back on the mound in the most important game of the year. He allowed two unearned runs while striking out 10 in Game 1 and carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. If he is not rattled by the events of the past two days, there might not be a hotter pitcher in baseball to send out to the mound today.

Who knows how sick Strasburg really was heading into Wednesday afternoon. Now he has decided to take the ball because the Internet erupted with the hottest of takes. His manager made up an excuse for him to try and deflect. It has been a drama-filled past 24 hours for the Nationals, but if they are able to force a Game 5, ace Max Scherzer, who exists on this planet to win elimination games, will get the start.