Pain in the Neck

When Max Scherzer woke up Saturday with discomfort in his neck and shoulder area, he knew his game five start was in jeopardy. A day later, when he couldn't get out of bed and couldn't use his precious right arm, the Nats worst fears had become reality. His 35 year-old body could not make it onto the field.

Sunday night, there was no battle of aces, no Scherzer versus Gerrit Cole in prime time. With the World Series tied at two wins a side, game five should have been a monumental matchup, the two best teams having lined up their best starting pitchers.

Instead, the max-imum disappointment for Washington baseball fans. Fill in starter Joe Ross was tagged for a pair of two runs homers, while for the third straight game in their park, the Nationals were held to just one run. Just. One. Run. And three straight losses.

Would it have been different had Max made it through the pain and stiffness? A healthy Scherzer is as good as it gets. But this hasn't been a season brimming with health for the three-time Cy Young winner.

Now, with the Astros just one win at home away from their second championship in three years, Washington fans will likely face a winter of "what if's."

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