Martinez on Scherzer seeking 300; McGowin will start series finale

Right-hander Kyle McGowin will start the final Nationals home game of the season Wednesday afternoon. It will be his fourth appearance with the Nationals, but more importantly, his first major league start.

McGowin made 23 minor league starts for the Nationals this season, going 8-6 with a 2.80 ERA. He has 152 strikeouts in 141 2/3 innings.

Tanner Roark was originally penciled in for the Wednesday afternoon home finale against the Marlins.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Roark is back in Georgia with his family. Roark's wife gave birth to their third child last week.

"For right now it's going to be day-to-day," Martinez announced. "He's with his family. I reached out to him and I told him to just stay with his wife and kids right now."

With the rest of the pitching probables set through the weekend, it is likely that Roark will not start another game this season.

Martinez will go with right-hander Joe Ross in Friday night's series opener in Denver, then right-hander Stephen Strasburg on Saturday and Max Scherzer on Sunday against the Rockies.

Scherzer is at 290 strikeouts on the season and has a shot to get to 300 strikeouts tonight. If Scherzer posts his 300th tonight, will that be it for Scherzer for the season?

"When he gets there, we will talk to Max," Martinez said. "If he wants his last start, obviously he will get it. But we will see today. I hope he gets his 300th today and we get a win for him."

Scherzer finished second to Clayton Kershaw in 2015 with 276 strikeouts when the Dodgers hurler got to 301 punchouts. Chris Sale struck out 308 last season with the Red Sox.

"Yeah, it's very rare and it's not just what he's done this year, but what he's done the last four or five years," Martinez said of Scherzer. "He's been unbelievable. Being with him every day in the clubhouse and watching him prepare on a daily basis, I could see why he's the best. I mean, he really is. His preparation is beyond anything I've ever seen on a daily basis.

"He takes pride in everything he does. And wants to be the best at everything and he's really good at everything. His hitting, I know he's talked about being a better bunter. He's already talking about how he can be better for 2019. He prepares himself really, really well every single day."

Scherzer has also had to be the stopper this season for the Nats when they have come off losses or less than stellar offensive performances. Could Martinez imagine what it would have been like without those 17 Scherzer wins or 27 quality starts in 32 starts this season?

"I don't want to picture life without Max, I really don't," Martinez said. "He's really that good. And the fact that I get to see him pitch every five days and compete, it's pretty awesome."

Martinez said one of the many reasons Scherzer is so good is how he self-analyzes and critiques everything that happens to him before, after and especially during his start.

"I enjoy every second watching him go out there," Martinez said. "It's fascinating to see what he does and his thought process throughout the game. Even when he comes in, he gives up a hit and he sits there and he talks about it and goes over it and doesn't want to happen again."