Obsessive Max Scherzer Hamstring Watch?

It kinda feels like that at this point, but given the importance of having to face the expected repeat Cy Young winner at some point in a short series is a pretty big deal.

Today, the Nationals revealed that Stephen Strasburg, and not Scherzer, would start Game One of the NLDS against the Cubs, but remained mum on games Two and Three. The Cubs have already announced their starters for the series, as they’ll go Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, and then Jake Arrieta if there’s a Game Four (as he recovers from his own hamstring injury).

Scherzer was possibly going to finally throw a bullpen session today to see if he’d be good to go for Game Two, but …

Scherzer's walking back to the dugout, having not thrown in the bullpen. Nothing official, but sure looks like Gio in Game 2. — Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 5, 2017

Gio Gonzalez will start Game 2, according to source familiar with decision. #Nats don't want to risk pushing Max Scherzer too quickly. — Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 5, 2017

So we’re now to the point where, at best, Scherzer will start Game Three – and only Game Three – for the Nationals. The timing of his hamstring tweak could not have been worse for the Nats (well, I mean, I guess if it happened on the first pitch of Game One that would be pretty bad, too), whose rotation is now Strasburg, Gonzalez, and then a question mark.

If Scherzer is not able to go until Game Four (undoubtedly a frightening thought for the Nats, who would then risk being swept out of a series without their ace even making an appearance), it would be Tanner Roark pitching in Game Three. Roark, who turns 31 today, posted a 4.67 ERA this year, but had much better peripherals. He’s also from Wilmington, Illinois, which is about 60 miles from Chicago, so I’m sure starting that first game at Wrigley Field would be extra fun/pressure-packed.