3 questions for Chicago Cubs heading into Game 3 of NLDS

                                                                                                                                                                                                   
  • Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras (40) celebrates his solo home run with Addison Russell (27) during the second inning of Game 2 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals, at Nationals Park, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Washington.

    Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras (40) celebrates his solo home run with Addison Russell (27) during the second inning of Game 2 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals, at Nationals Park, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Washington.

 
Bruce Miles
 
 
Updated 10/8/2017 7:13 AM

WASHINGTON -- What looked to be a sure 2-0 lead in the NLDS Saturday turned all even quickly Saturday night, as the Washington Nationals rallied with 5 runs in the eighth inning to beat the Cubs 6-3. The series resumes at Wrigley Field for Game 3 Monday. Here are three questions going into the change of venue:

1. Can the Cubs recover from such a devastating blow?

 

Sure. They've done it before. As first baseman Anthony Rizzo pointed out, they gave up the lead in Game 7 of last year's World Series and gathered themselves to win it.

2. Is Max Scherzer pitching Game 3 for the Nats and is he 100 percent?

It looks that way, and no, he is not 100 percent. The Nats say Scherzer is on schedule to pitch Game 3 after being held out of the first two games because of a hamstring "tweak." Hamstrings are fickle. Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta injured his hamstring on Labor Day, and the lingering effects have forced the Cubs to hold him out until Game 4.

3. What are the keys to the Cubs regaining momentum?

Old baseball adage: Momentum is as good as the next game's starting pitcher. If Cubs lefty Jose Quintana can come out and hang with Scherzer, the Cubs will have a chance, especially if they can take advantage of their home crowd and Wrigley Field.

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