Nationals World Series Game 5: Joe Ross to start for injured Max Scherzer

The Washington Nationals announced on Sunday afternoon that scheduled starter Max Scherzer would not be able to go due to an injury.

Max Scherzer has been dealing with issues in his back all season, but the Washington Nationals ace is now struggling with spasms in his trap and neck, according to reports.

This is obviously a huge blow for the Nationals who were already facing an uphill battle in Game 5 against Gerrit Cole.

In Scherzer’s place will be Joe Ross.

Ross wasn’t on the NLCS roster but was added for the World Series and looked really good in his lone outing against the Astros.

In Game 3 he pitched 2 shutout innings allowing just 1 hit, but he also didn’t strikeout a batter.

The right-handed Ross has been a starter at times for the Nationals, including 9 starts in 2019.

In the regular season, he posted an ERA of 5.48 in 64 innings pitched with a WHIP of 1.67 and 57 strikeouts.

This actually will not be Ross’ first postseason start. He started Game 4 for the Washington Nationals in the 2016 NLDS, but that outing wasn’t exactly encouraging.

He gave up 4 earned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks over 2.2 innings with 3 strikeouts against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hopefully he’ll have much better luck Sunday night against the Astros.

Dave Martinez said that even if Scherzer starts feeling better, he’ll go with Stephen Strasburg in Game 6, and then Scherzer in a potential Game 7 if he feels better then.

If he doesn’t get better, that Game 7 start will likely go to Anibal Sanchez.

Let’s all start sending good vibes Scherzer’s way and hope that he can recover quickly.

We all know how much of a competitor Max is, if he’s saying he’s hurting and can’t go, he must be in a ton of pain.

The Nationals offense will need to wake up and help out the pitching staff in Game 5 if they are going to take back the lead in this World Series.