In a move that may be the turning point in the 2019 World Series, Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer has been ruled out of tonight’s Game 5 against the Houston Astros. Scherzer had been experiencing neck spasms since Saturday and things got worse according to manager Dave Martinez.
“He had — yesterday he had a little bit of spasms in his right trap and neck,” Martinez said. “They treated it. He woke up today a lot worse.”
“And if you all know Max, obviously he pitched with a broken nose, he’s been hurt before, he’s gotten through things. When he comes in and says he’s hurt this bad, he’s hurt. And I can tell you now he’s very upset. He wants to be out there with his teammates. But hopefully we can get him back here for either Game 6 or 7.”
Joe Ross is going to start for the Nationals against Gerrit Cole in the pivotal game. After Washington won the first two games in Houston, with Scherzer winning Game 1, the Astros turned around and won the next two in D.C. to tie the series at two games apiece. Now a best-of-three, the winner of Game 5 will have a massive advantage over the other. And while there’s hope Scherzer can be back for Game 6 or 7, that may be too little, too late if the Nationals fall to a 3-2 deficit.
[MLB]
