NLDS game blog: Scherzer on the mound in Game 3

CHICAGO - It's not often that a team leaves its best starting pitcher for Game 3 of a postseason series, especially a best-of-five series. But the Nationals kept ace Max Scherzer off the mound for the first two games of the National League Division Series out of necessity.

Scherzer tweaked his right hamstring in his final regular season start of the season, casting his playoff future in doubt. Nine games removed from that start against the Pirates, the 2016 National League Cy Young award winner looks to give the Nationals a 2-1 advantage against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

We'll keep you updated on the game and give you tweets, pictures and videos from across the wide world of social media.

Nationals on-field reporter Dan Kolko is answering questions at @masnNationals on Twitter.

TWEET your pregame #Nats questions to us, and @masnKolko could tweet you back live from Wrigley! #IBackTheNats pic.twitter.com/P0RsQLAKTC

-- Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) October 9, 2017

Name a better playoff atmosphere, I'll wait. #Nats #Cubs pic.twitter.com/O84pfe4QI4

-- OLIVIA witherite (@Oliviawitherite) October 9, 2017

He may not be on the call for the game, but F.P. is on top of the action.

Pigeons have landed at second base. Stay tuned

-- F.P. Santangelo (@FightinHydrant) October 9, 2017

A tremendous start for Max Scherzer. Three terrific innings on just 39 pitches.

-- Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) October 9, 2017

Meanwhile, Scherzer is through 5 scoreless on 79 pitches. Only 2 walks and a HBP allowed.

-- Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 9, 2017

Max Scherzer has made 101 starts (reg season and playoffs) with #Nats. He has reached the 6th without allowing a hit in 12 of them.

-- Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 9, 2017

#NATS TAKE THE LEAD! #IBackTheNats pic.twitter.com/9vhfygV5dE

-- Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) October 9, 2017

Big time double play induced by Scherzer to end the 6th. He's at 90 pitches. Said he's good for 100 today. Dusty's got a decision to make.

-- Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 9, 2017

Almora delivers the RBI single on a 3-2 pitch from Solis. Tie game, 1-1 in the 7th. Bedlam at Wrigley.

-- Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 9, 2017

Doink-shot into the Bermuda Triangle in left-center. #Cubs lead 2-1. #Nats down to their last 3 outs.

-- Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 9, 2017