LAD-WSH Gm 3: Lineups, FAQ (TBS)
The Nationals pulled out all the stops to even this National League Division Series. For Game 3, Washington has tabbed Aníbal Sánchez as its starter after Max Scherzer made a special guest appearance in the eighth inning of Game 2 on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, shrugged off their Game 2 loss by focusing on the near miss in the ninth inning against a spotty Washington bullpen, and head to D.C. with a Cy Young candidate ready to take the mound.
When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 3 will be on Sunday at 7:45 p.m. ET/4:45 p.m. PT on TBS.
All games telecast on MLB Network, TBS, FOX and FS1 will be available to MLB.TV subscribers who are authenticated subscribers to the applicable network through a participating pay TV provider.
What are the starting lineups?
Dodgers: As expected, Russell Martin is in the lineup for Game 3, instead of Will Smith, to catch Hyun-Jin Ryu.
- Joc Pederson, RF
- Max Muncy, 1B
- Justin Turner, 3B
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Corey Seager, SS
- A.J. Pollock, LF
- Gavin Lux, 2B
- Russell Martin, C
- Hyun-Jin Ryu, P
Nationals: Michael A. Taylor started in center field on Sunday, replacing Victor Robles, who tweaked his hamstring in Friday’s win.
- Trea Turner, SS
- Adam Eaton, RF
- Anthony Rendon, 3B
- Juan Soto, LF
- Howie Kendrick, 1B
- Kurt Suzuki, C
- Brian Dozier, 2B
- Michael A. Taylor, CF
- Aníbal Sánchez, P
Who are the starting pitchers?
Dodgers: Ryu (14-5, 2.32 ERA) gets his favorite catcher, Martin. Much has been made of his stingy 1.93 ERA at home. But take out two Coors Field starts and his road ERA would be 2.27, so the Dodgers still like their chances.
Nationals: After Scherzer (11-7, 2.92 ERA) emerged from the bullpen to pitch the eighth inning on Friday, Sánchez will take the ball for Game 3.
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Dodgers: With Saturday off, all Dodgers relievers should be available. Kenley Jansen almost definitely will pitch either the eighth or ninth inning, depending on the situation. And they’ll probably use Adam Kolarek against Soto for the third consecutive game.
Nationals: So, which starting pitcher will come out of the bullpen next? The Nats needed Scherzer’s help to close out Game 3 and perhaps they could make Patrick Corbin available on Sunday for his bullpen session to pair along with Daniel Hudson and Sean Doolittle. But outside of those two relievers, the Nats have shown they do not have much faith in the rest of their bullpen.
Are there any relievers who are unavailable?
Dodgers: No.
Nationals: After an off-day Saturday, everyone should be good to go.
Any injuries of note?
Dodgers: No.
Nationals: Robles left Friday’s game after tweaking his hamstring running down the first-base line. He was examined on Saturday, and he wasn't in the starting lineup on Sunday.
Who is hot and who is not?
Dodgers: Muncy is 3-for-6 in the series with a home run and four RBIs. Kolarek has retired Soto both times they've faced. Bellinger has yet to get a hit this postseason.
Nationals: The Nats got some early offense in Game 2 before going quiet for the rest of the night, but their at-bats were much better Friday. Trea Turner has a hit in his last five postseason games, going 7-for-22 (.318).