Gio turning page ahead of NLDS Game 3

WASHINGTON — There are umpteen reasons why the Nationals might be wary starting Gio Gonzalez in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Monday (MLB Network, 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT).

There is Gonzalez’s 4.57 ERA, the highest of any full season in his career. There is the fact that the Nationals went 14-18 in games Gonzalez started. There is the left-hander’s 8.31 ERA in three losses to end the regular season.

But given the injury that knocked Stephen Strasburg out of the Nats’ NLDS rotation, and the one that kept Joe Ross limited down the stretch, Gonzalez was Washington’s clear No. 3 starter heading into the postseason. The club’s success will depend upon how he fares in Los Angeles, where Gonzalez should be the best-rested National. He plans to fly ahead of his teammates due to Saturday’s postponement, which eliminated Sunday’s travel day.

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 7   LAD 4, WAS 3 Gm 2 Oct. 9 1 p.m. LAD @ WSH FS1 Gm 3 Oct. 10 4 or 6 p.m. WAS @ LAD MLBN *Gm 4 Oct. 11 5 or 8 p.m. WAS @ LAD FS1 *Gm 5 Oct. 13 5 or 8 p.m. LAD @ WSH FS1 *- If necessary | All times listed ET • Division Series start time scenarios • Dodgers vs. Nationals NLDS coverageShop for postseason gear: Dodgers | Nationals

“This is what everybody wants to do is play in the postseason, and I’m having an opportunity to actually pitch in …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com