The Washington Nationals announced on Friday that Tanner Roark will start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, with Gio Gonzalez slated to take the ball in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.
Rich Hill is the Dodgers’ probable for Game 2, and Kenta Maeda in Game 3. Not long after Nationals manager Dusty Baker named Max Scherzer the starter for Game 1, he said he was ‘unsettled’ on the remainder of the rotation. Baker said Thursday discussions were still being held over who would follow Scherzer.
The veteran manager conceded the decision would have been much easier if Stephen Strasburg was available. Strasburg isn’t part of the Nationals’ NLDS roster as he recovers from a strained flexor mass in his right elbow.
Roark went 16-10 with a 2.83 ERA this season. He faced the Dodgers at home, though suffered a loss despite only allowing three runs in 7.1 innings pitched. He was 9-6 with a 2.72 ERA at Nationals Park in 2016.
Gonzalez finished 11-11 with a 4.57 ERA, 3.76 FIP and 1.34 WHIP over 32 starts. He allowed six earned runs in two of his final six starts this season, and closed the year by allowing three runs in back-to-back outings.
The veteran lefty was just about even whether pitching at home or on the road. Gonzalez went 7-5 with a 4.45 ERA at Nationals Park, and 4-6 with a 4.69 ERA on the road. He held the Dodgers to one run on three hits over six innings at home on July 20.
The Dodgers hit .213/.290/.332 against southpaws this season, with a .275 wOBA and 72 wRC+. They ranked last in the Majors in each of the categories.
