The final division series wraps up tonight, as the Washington Nationals will play host to the Los Angeles Dodgers with the winner advancing to take on the Cubs. The ALCS also gets underway on Friday, and there are plenty of rumors swirling ahead of both championship series - and the offseason. Here is everything you need to know:
Nats-Dodgers Preview
Washington had a chance to close this series in Game 4 on Tuesday, but lost in a nail-biter. A solid outing from Clayton Kershaw helped the Dodgers build a 5-2 lead going into the seventh inning. However, it looked like LA's season was going to fall apart then as the Nationals managed to tie the game with three runs in the frame. The Dodgers finally managed to push the winning run across in the bottom of the eighth inning, thanks to a RBI single from Chase Utley with two outs.
Now in Game 5, the Nationals are starting pitcher Max Scherzer. For all of his success in the regular season, he is 0-3 in his career in closeout games, and gave up a .757 OPS to left-handed hitters this year. First-year Nationals manager Dusty Baker has also lost his last eight career elimination games, and the franchise hasn't advanced past the NLDS since 1981.
Los Angeles is starting pitcher Rich Hill on short rest, who gave up four runs in 4.1 innings in a Game 2 loss in this series. Here are the projected starting lineups for each team:
Dodgers
2B Chase Utley
SS Corey Seager
3B Justin Turner
1B Adrian Gonzalez
RF Josh Reddick
CF Joc Pederson
C Yasmani Grandal
LF Andrew Toles
SP Rich Hill
Nationals
CF Trae Turner
RF Bryce Harper
LF Jayson Werth
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Danny Espinosa
C Jose Lobaton
SP Max Scherzer
Strasburg won't pitch in NLCS
Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg was hoping to be able to return for a potential NLCS matchup with the Cubs as he recovers from a strained flexor mass, but he will not be able to, according to Jamal Collier of MLB.com:
If the Nats win tonight, Dusty says Strasburg would not be ready for the NLCS.
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) October 13, 2016
The news came just a few days after Strasburg had a bullpen session cut short due to arm soreness.
Other MLB Rumors
Cleveland Indians pitcher Danny Salazar will not be able to participate in the ALCS against the Blue Jays as he recovers from a strained flexor muscle.
The San Diego Padres have parted ways with CEO Mike Dee and senior advisor Randy Smith.
Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia underwent knee surgery to repair a damaged meniscus.
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