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Nationals' Gonzalez to start NLDS finale vs. Cubs

Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals will turn to Gio Gonzalez to start Game 5 of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, the team announced, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.

The left-hander gets the nod over righty Tanner Roark, who was slated to go in Game 4 before being replaced by the team's co-ace, Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg had initially been ruled out due to an illness.

Gonzalez is coming off a Game 2 start in which he allowed three earned runs on three hits - including homers by Willson Contreras and Anthony Rizzo - over five innings of work.

The 32-year-old veteran went 15-9 with a 2.96 ERA in 32 regular-season starts.

The Cubs had already announced Kyle Hendricks as their starter, and with good reason. The righty stymied the Nationals in Game 1, allowing only two hits across seven scoreless innings.

Whoever wins will move on to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. Game 1 is slated for Saturday, Oct. 14 at 8:08 p.m. ET.

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