Levine: Cubs Stay Even-Keeled After Bullpen Meltdown Changes Complexion Of Series
The Nationals rallied with five runs in the eighth inning to even the NLDS at 1-1.
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The Nationals rallied with five runs in the eighth inning to even the NLDS at 1-1.
The Nationals evened the National League Division Series with a five-run rally in the eighth inning.
Bryce Harper hit a tying two-run homer, and Ryan Zimmerman followed soon after with a three-run blast.
"I do expect a lot of aggressiveness out there from them," Cubs manager Joe Maddon says.
Ian Happ will play left field, while Kyle Schwarber sits.
"We really trust each other," Anthony Rizzo says. "That is the big, big thing for us."
Hendricks pitched seven shutout innings in a 3-0 win over the Nationals.
Kyle Hendricks pitched seven shutout innings and the Cubs got clutch hits from Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo in a Game 1 win.
Game 3 on Monday will be at either 3:08 p.m. or 4:38 p.m. at Wrigley Field.
Scherzer has been dealing with a hamstring tweak.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon opted for power and experience in his Game 1 lineup.
"Hopefully we kick his butt on the field," Bryant says of Harper.
The Nationals will host the first two games of the series, so the Cubs are inviting fans to watch on the video screen at the Park at Wrigley
The mayors of Chicago and D.C. are both putting up beer and sausages as part of a friendly wager on the Cubs-Nationals playoff series.
Strasburg was brilliant after the All-Star break, going 6-1 with a 0.86 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings.
Washington took the season series 4-3.
Baker admitted there's extra motivation to beat the Cubs, whom he managed from 2003-'06.
Max Scherzer will pitch Game 2 or Game 3 for the Nationals, depending on how his bullpen session later Thursday goes.
"It never changes," Rizzo says. "To be the best, you have to beat the best."
"Any time Daniel Murphy is hitting behind anybody, you don't walk the guy in front of him," Maddon says.
"We're in really good position," Ricketts says as the Cubs enter the playoffs.
Baker seemed to hint at Stephen Strasburg starting against the Cubs in Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday.
Game 1 will start at 6:31 p.m. CT on Friday at Nationals Park. Game 2 is set for 4:38 p.m. Saturday.
The Washington Nationals have had plenty of success in recent years—just not in the playoffs.
Washington won the season series 4-3.
