The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals will clash on Friday in Game 1 of their MLB Playoffs 2016 NL Division Series. Today's game will take place from Nationals Park in Washington D.C. with a start time of 5.38 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on TV on the Fox Sports 1 network or online through live stream via the link below.
Today's pitching match up will see Clayton Kershaw take to the mound for the Dodgers, while Max Scherzer will head out for the Nationals.
Kershaw registered a 12-4 record through the regular season with a 1.69 ERA. In the postseason he has a 4.59 career ERA.
Meanwhile Scherzer is looking to record his first Playoffs win for the Nationals in today's game. The Washington star pitcher had a 20-7 record this season with a 2.96 ERA, and led the MLB with 284 strikeouts, reaching the 20 win mark for the first time in his career.
This pitching match up is one that should excite just about every MLB fan out there as Kershaw and Scherzer are two of the best in the business, and it could very well end up that whoever wins in the shootout between the two today will give their team the edge in this best of five series.
Scherzer is not fazed by the pressure though, and ahead of the game he has said, "It's what you play this game for. You don't measure yourself against the worst. You measure yourself against the best. And I think this is best opponent I could possibly face with the Dodgers and Kershaw throwing."
Leading up to the Playoffs there were concerns about Kershaw's health as he was returning from a herniated disk in his lower back. However, any doubts about his form have been put to rest, with the pitcher posting a 1.29 ERA with 27 strikeouts and two walks in his five starts in September.
But even though no doubts linger about Kershaw's form, there are still questions hanging over him about his postseason record. He has gone just 2-6 with a 4.59 ERA across seven postseason series. So he will want to wipe the slate clean today and transfer his regular season form into the Playoffs.
Kershaw has said, "I think in the past, I've definitely felt that pressure more. But this year's been a little bit different for me, just as far as having to watch on the sidelines for two months, understanding how good our team is. It's really kind of hit home for me a little bit, as I've come back, that I can definitely be a part of this and definitely help, and definitely be a factor in winning. But I don't have to be the factor."
Today's big MLB 2016 Playoffs NLDS Game 1 clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals has a scheduled start time of 5.38 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the Fox Sports 1 network or online through live stream by clicking here.
