WASHINGTON — Cubs lefty Jon Lester, a veteran of three World Series, normally would loom as a Game 1 playoff starter. Lefty Gio Gonzalez would figure in for the third game on a Nationals staff that features Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg.
So naturally both are scheduled to start Game 2 on Saturday in the National League Division Series.
Gonzalez was named by Nationals manager Dusty Baker, who also announced Scherzer, battling an aching hamstring for the past week, would
pitch Game 3 — assuming he’s physically able.
Lester, who shared the NLCS MVP honor with Javier Baez last year, had a different kind of pregame before the series started with the Cubs winning 3-0 in Game 1 on Friday at Nationals Park.
“It is kind of nice, actually. You know, it’s kind of different walking in and not having anything to do and not worry about anything. Took the late bus for the first time,” said Lester, 9-7 lifetime in 14 different postseason series. “It’s good. I mean, obviously it’s not ideal. As a competitor, you work for these games. But at the same time, it’s kind of nice to sit back and let other guys handle it.”
At least until Game 2.
Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA) had some hiccups throughout the season. He still topped the Cubs staff in starts (32), strikeouts (180) and innings pitched (180 ²/₃). But Kyle Hendricks was the Cubs’ best pitcher down the stretch and got the Game 1 start. Teams have faced worse fates than having Lester for a Game 2 in the postseason.
“Everybody handles it differently. Everybody has to focus on different things to kind of get them locked in. Mine is my routine. I always fall back on my routine,” Lester said.
Gonzalez doesn’t have the résumé of Lester. He has made four postseason starts in three series without a decision. He got the call because of Scherzer’s situation.
“We’re going to go Gio [Saturday] and then Max will go, slated to go, Game 3,” Baker said. “Today he threw some, [Thursday] it was determined that we would be better if we waited till Game 3.”
And Gonzalez (15-9, 2.96 ERA) is not a horrible option.
“Last [postseason] start I had at home was in 2012. So it was a long time ago,” Gonzalez said. “Just constantly trying to re-evolve, trying to find a new way to throw strikes. The game’s changing. You’re seeing the hitting is pretty tough. “So for us, it’s trying to attack the strike zone, trying to lock in immediately. You can’t let yourself get in a groove after giving up a couple runs. You have to get it going right off the bat.”
Whenever you’re pitching.