Cubs vs. Nationals NLDS Game 5: 3 x-factors for Washington

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 11: Manager Dusty Baker of the Washington Nationals celebrates with his team after defeating the Chicago Cubs 5-0 in game four of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field on October 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 30: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on September 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

3. Max Scherzer

Calling Scherzer an x-factor may seem like a bit of a cop out. After all, he’s been one of the best starting pitchers in Major League Baseball for the past five seasons. He’s not flying under the radar whatsoever.

The reason he’s an x-factor is that he almost certainly won’t start Game 5. He pitched on Monday, meaning he’s only had two days rest heading into Game 5. Either Tanner Roark or Gio Gonzalez will likely start, although Baker admits he’s not sure yet. The Cubs have a higher batting average as a team against left-handers. There’s a reasonable chance Roark could take the mound if Baker believes there’s a slight edge there.

But Scherzer could pitch two or three innings at some point in this game. It’s too important for him to sit on the bench the entire time. Baker showed a hair trigger when he removed Scherzer after just 98 pitches on Monday. That’s not an overwhelming amount for a competitor like Scherzer and the trigger for Gonzalez or Roark will be just as quick as it was Monday.

Both of those pitchers were valuable members of the Nationals in the 2017 season. That doesn’t mean they will have a very long rope in an elimination game. Recent trends have shown many managers aren’t afraid to put a starting pitcher in the middle of a game to try and bridge the starter to the back end of the bullpen.

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