Game 5 was supposed to be a rematch of Game 1’s premier pitching matchup: Gerrit Cole of the Astros versus Max Scherzer of the Nationals. In that game, Scherzer and the Nationals prevailed, 5-4, and the Astros lost a game started by Cole for the first time since July 12.
But around 4:30 p.m., Nationals Manager Dave Martinez made a stunning announcement: Scherzer would not start because of spasms in his neck and his upper back, near his throwing arm. Joe Ross, a former starter who pitched mostly out of the bullpen this season, would take the mound instead. Ross threw 19 pitches over two strong innings in Game 3 on Friday.
As a result, the Nationals will have to lean on one of their weaknesses: their bullpen. Scherzer had been receiving treatment but woke up on Sunday “really hurting,” Martinez said. Scherzer is known as one of the most competitive players in baseball — he pitched with a bloody and broken nose earlier this season — so his spasms most likely are very serious to force him out of a World Series game.
Martinez said he hoped Scherzer could come back and pitch in relief in Game 6 on Tuesday if the season was on the line. But if there was a Game 7, Martinez said he would turn to Scherzer. Stephen Strasburg is slated to start Game 6.
“He’s really upset about it,” Martinez said of Scherzer. “I’ve never seen — believe me — I’ve never seen Max this quiet. He’s very quiet.”