In yet another unpredictable turn in the saga of Stephen Strasburg, the Washington Nationals will start their $175 million ace in Wednesday's Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs.
The club and its meticulous ace had a change of heart overnight and Strasburg start instead of Tanner Roark in the win-or-go-home game against Jake Arrieta at Wrigley Field. The Cubs hold a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4 was postponed from Tuesday, giving the Nationals a chance to start Strasburg on regular rest. Instead, manager Dusty Baker shocked the baseball-watching worldwhen he announced Roark would still start. Baker said Strasburg was "under the weather."
After a night and morning of withering criticism and mystified fans, some combo of the pitcher or organization woke up feeling quite different.
Strasburg was dominant in Game 1 against the Cubs, striking out 10 in seven innings, though the Cubs scratched out two unearned runs in a 2-1 victory.
First pitch is at 4:08 p.m. ET.
