Nationals SP Patrick Corbin to Start Game 1 of 2019 NLDS vs. Dodgers

The Washington Nationals used both Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg during Tuesday's stunning 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card Game, so manager Dave Martinez will have to turn to his third option in the rotation for the next contest.

Martinez said Patrick Corbin will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, per Jamal Collier of MLB.com.

The reality of playing in a win-or-go-home wild-card game before the division series is the opponent will almost always have the advantage when it comes to the starting pitchers.

Los Angeles was able to set its loaded rotation featuring Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Hyun-Jin Ryu while the Nationals were fighting for their postseason lives with Scherzer and Strasburg combining for eight innings against Milwaukee.

While that doesn't bode well for a Washington team that lost in the Division Series in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017, there are far worse options for a No. 3 starter than Corbin. The two-time All-Star finished the 2019 campaign with a 3.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 238 strikeouts in 202 innings, helping the Nationals overcome an inconsistent bullpen.

He will only have the chance to face the Dodgers because Juan Soto played the role of hero in Tuesday's contest.

The youngster came up with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and delivered with a single off Josh Hader that scored three runs because right fielder Trent Grisham misplayed the ball. That proved to be the difference after Strasburg pitched three shutout innings to keep the Nationals within striking distance following Scherzer's uneven start.

Corbin will look to set the tone in Game 1 against the Dodgers, and Scherzer and Strasburg figure to be ready for later contests in the best-of-five showdown.