All about ‘fun’ as Scherzer gears up for Game 1

WASHINGTON — When asked Thursday about the challenge of opposing Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in a postseason game, Max Scherzer replied that “this is too much fun, to face a team and pitcher of this caliber.” When asked about the types of left-handed hitters the Dodgers have in spades, Scherzer answered that “it should be fun to face them.” When the questions turned to Nationals catcher Jose Lobaton, Scherzer responded that it’s “very fun” to throw to him.

So it came as little surprise that, when asked about starting National League Division Series Game 1 against the Dodgers (5:30 p.m. ET on FS1), Scherzer stuck to the script: “This is going to be fun.”

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 7 5:30 p.m. LAD @ WSH FS1 Gm 2 Oct. 8 4 p.m. LAD @ WSH FS1 Gm 3 Oct. 10 TBD WAS @ LAD FS1 / MLBN *Gm 4 Oct. 11 TBD WAS @ LAD FS1 *Gm 5 Oct. 13 TBD LAD @ WSH FS1 *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Dodgers | Nationals • Complete Postseason coverage

If that attitude seems a bit saccharine for the Nationals’ best pitcher, consider the alternative of harping on the past. While Scherzer has pitched in a dozen prior postseason games, his October history is fraught with disappointment. Though Scherzer played a significant role in knocking the Yankees out of the 2011 ALDS, he was the losing pitcher later that month in Detroit’s final American League Championship Series game. The following October, Scherzer’s Tigers made it to the World Series, where the Giants swept them. Scherzer pitched Game …

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