The Nationals kicked off the National League Championship Series with a strong performance from Aníbal Sánchez on Friday night, shutting out the Cardinals 2-0 as they claimed a 1-0 lead in the series. On Saturday, they’ll try to spin that into a two-game lead behind Max Scherzer, who currently owns a 2.77 ERA across three postseason outings so far this fall.
For the most part, the Nationals aren’t going to mess with the lineup that defended Sánchez’s near no-hitter. Michael A. Taylor has been bumped down in the lineup, while Yan Gomes has been moved to the bench as Kurt Suzuki returns from a hit-by-pitch:
- Trea Turner (R) SS
- Adam Eaton (L) RF
- Anthony Rendon (R) 3B
- Juan Soto (L) LF
- Howie Kendrick (R) 2B
- Ryan Zimmerman (R) 1B
- Michael A. Taylor (R) CF
- Kurt Suzuki (R) C
- Max Scherzer (R) P
The Cardinals will stick with the same configuration for Game 2, though they’re hoping for a drastically different outcome this time around. Wainwright is scheduled to take the mound for his second start of the playoffs, following an NLDS Game 3 loss in which he pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings of two-walk, eight-strikeout ball against the Braves.
- Dexter Fowler (S) CF
- Kolten Wong (L) 2B
- Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
- Marcell Ozuna (R) LF
- Yadier Molina (R) C
- Matt Carpenter (L) 3B
- Tommy Edman (S) RF
- Paul DeJong (R) SS
- Adam Wainwright (R) P
Game 2 of the NLCS is scheduled for 4:08 PM EDT.
