Baffling Baker won't send Strasburg against Cubs in Game 4
For the second straight day at Wrigley Field, Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker served as head conductor on the crazy train.
After squandering a 1-0 lead in Game 3 of the National League division series Monday and losing to the Cubs 2-1, Baker had to explain why he lifted starting pitcher Max Scherzer in such a critical situation.
Scherzer had a no-hitter going with 1 out in the seventh inning before Ben Zobrist broke it up with a double.
Baker didn't want the 2016 NL Cy Young Award winner to face the Cubs' next hitter, Kyle Schwarber.
Scherzer struck out Schwarber his first time up and walked him the second time.
Baker called on left-hander Sammy Solis (5.88 ERA in the regular season) from the bullpen, and Cubs manager Joe Maddon countered with right-hander Albert Almora Jr. to pinch hit.
Almora singled home Zobrist to tie the game.
In the eighth inning, Dusty struck again.
With a runner on second base and 2 outs, Anthony Rizzo came to the plate.
In Game 1, Rizzo twice came up with a runner in scoring position and 2 outs and first base open.
The Nationals pitched to the clutch hitter both times and Rizzo came through with an RBI single and an RBI double.
So, naturally, Baker had reliever Oliver Perez (4.64 ERA) pitch to Rizzo in Game 3 Monday, and the first baseman delivered a bloop RBI single to give the Cubs a 2-1 win and a 2-1 lead in the NLDS.
That leads us to Tuesday.
The Cubs and Nationals were rained out, with Game 4 now set for Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley.
What a break for Washington!
Right?
With Tanner Roark (13-11, 4.67 ERA) scheduled to start for the Nats against Jake Arrieta, the rainout instantly allowed Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 2.52 ERA) to replace Roark and pitch Game 4 on regular rest.
In Game 1 Friday, Strasburg no-hit the Cubs for 5⅔ innings. He lasted 7 innings total and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk while striking out 10.
Baker said the Nationals are sticking with Roark on Wednesday, even though it's an elimination game.
Why?
"We decided to stay with Tanner because, No. 1, you know, he was slated," Baker said. "Didn't work out for Stras for his bullpen day, and we're all creatures of habit. Plus, we've got full confidence in Tanner. And Stras, it would have been better, because he's feeling under the weather, like a lot of my team is."
So, Strasburg is sick?
"Yes, and a lot of my team is under the weather with the change of weather and the air conditioning in the hotel and the air conditioning here," said Baker, who managed the Cubs from 2003-06. "It's just this time of the year for mold around Chicago … I think it's mold. I mean, I have it, too."
Mold. Add a new category to add to the disabled list.
Baker caught instant heat for sticking with Roark in Game 4, but USA Today reported Strasburg told his manager he doesn't feel well enough to pitch Wednesday.