Max Scherzer will start on Opening Day in Cincinnati on March 29 against the Reds, the Nationals announced on Monday morning. Scherzer had previously started the opener in both 2015 and '16, his first two seasons with the Nats.
Winner of the past two National League Cy Young Awards, Scherzer went 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA in 31 starts last season. He led the National League with 268 strikeouts.
Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark will follow Scherzer in the rotation.