The Rockies might have just caught a break in their quest for a National League West title.
Washington’s Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, will not pitch the final game of the season Sunday against Colorado as was originally planned. Nationals manager Dave Martinez said after Saturday’s 12-2 Washington victory at Coors Field that right-hander Erick Fedde will instead start.
“(Scherzer) needs a break,” Martinez told reporters.
“Obviously, it’s great when you don’t have to face a (three)-time Cy Young,” Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado said. “But listen, I think we were all ready to face him. I think we were all planning to face him.
“He’s one of the best to ever do it, probably with (the Dodgers’ Clayton) Kershaw, one of the best of our generation, really. It would’ve been crazy battle.”
, but the guy we’re facing, not a lot of familiarity. I think his fist big league start was against us in Washington. It’ll be a battle. We’ve got to try to figure him out, but yeah, I mean, either way, the young kid is going to come out to try and win a game. It’s his last start until next year.
Fedde is 2-3 with a 5.24 ERA in 10 starts this season, though none have come against the Rockies. He made his big-league debut against Colorado last year and allowed seven runs in four innings.
“We’ve got to try to figure him out, but the young kid is going to come out to try and win a game,” Arenado said. “It’s his last start until next year.”
The Nationals’ move prompted Rockies manager Bud Black to insert lefty Tyler Anderson into the starting role in Game 162 instead of German Marquez, who was tentatively scheduled to pitch on short rest. Anderson is 6-9 this season with a 4.79 ERA.
“Tyler is a tough pitcher,” Arenado said. “He wants the ball. I think that’s always a big thing. Guys that want the ball, that’s always a good start. With Tyler, we’re confident with him. We know he’s going to give us his all and that’s all you can ask for.”
Colorado, guaranteed at least a wild-card playoff spot, is tied with Los Angeles atop the NL West standings heading into Sunday. The Dodgers play at San Francisco.
