Max Scherzer was called upon to throw an inning of relief in Game 2 on Friday, October 4. He threw hard out of the gate and blew away the three batters he faced with three straight strikeouts, preserving Washington’s 4-2 lead in the eighth inning. Just three nights later, Scherzer was called upon again, this time in the starting role.

And once again, Scherzer was up to the task. With the Nationals facing elimination down 2-1 in their best-of-five NLDS series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Max Scherzer pitched seven inning, struck out seven, and allowed only one run on four hits and three walks. It was exactly what Washington needed to limit its bullpen usage and force a Game 5.

Stephen Strasburg and Walker Buehler are the projected starters for Wednesday’s winner-take-all contest in Los Angeles. It should be a great one.