The Same Old Story - NLDS Game 5: Open Game Thread

After the baseball-famished hellscape that was Wednesday, I am pleased to say there is good eatin’ to do this evening. In the deciding game of the Dodgers-Nationals series, both both teams will lean on elite pitchers and hope the tops of their orders can continue to deliver for them.

Dodgers at Nationals (Series tied 2-2) - 5 PM PT

Rich Hill was touched up a bit in Game 2, with a José Lobatón three-run homer helping send him to an early exit without completing the 5th inning. Hill was strong through his first three innings last time, but considering Dave Roberts pulled him in the midst of a perfect game already this season, it seems reasonable to expect a choke chain of a leash will be awaiting Hill, should he struggle. Aiding that decision is the long rest that 20 year old wunderkind Julio Urias has gotten, and the composure of the phenomenal lefty will likely be a major storyline in this game in relief of the veteran Hill. Max Scherzer, on the other end, is a strong Cy Young candidate with a ludicrous sub-1.00 WHIP in 228.1 IP. While he too was hit well early in a Game 1 loss, Washington likely will need him to lock down LA, especially if Hill is able to handle starting on short rest well.

FiveThirtyEight: 58% Nationals win.