Washington Nationals manager Davey Martinez confirmed baseball's worst-kept secret heading into the postseason, as right-hander Max Scherzer will start Tuesday's National League wild-card game, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.
Martinez also said Friday that right-hander Stephen Strasburg and left-hander Patrick Corbin will be on the roster and available to pitch out of the bullpen.
Washington began organizing Scherzer's schedule in July so that he could start a potential elimination game.
The seven-time All-Star will toe the rubber against either the Brewers or Cardinals. Washington sits one game up on Milwaukee for the top wild-card spot, while the Brewers are one behind the Cardinals for the NL Central lead.
Scherzer owns a career 2.29 ERA in 51 innings against the Brewers and a 3.31 mark across 70 2/3 frames versus the Cardinals.
The 35-year-old three-time Cy Young winner was limited to 27 starts this season after missing almost a month during the summer due to back issues. Despite the injury, Scherzer posted a career-best 12.7 K/9 rate.
