Strasburg has been a close second to Cole as the best Post Season starting pitcher. Verlander has been a lot like Mad Max older, battle tested, still has very good stuff but nothing near his dominating prime in Detroit In fact Verlander has not been able to fight father time as much as Max just based on personality Max didn't have get stuff last night but will die in the mound trying to keep a run from crossing the plate. Verlander didn't need much moxie for a decade his arm was just so good. This postseason he has a losing record. Gives up the long ball and doesn't go deep. The Nationals have just been mowing down teams for two months. They use clutch singles, doubles and big blasts. They have a nice mixture of veteran players who are getting their last shot at a ring, guys that very likely will be All-stars for the next decade but can't buy a drink legally. Then a few players having great seasons in their prime. The Astros all seem to be the same age, the same type of ballplayer just in different sizes. The Nationals took out the Dodgers in LA in a comeback for the ages. Back to back homers off the best pitcher of his era then a Grand Salami in extra innings to slay the universally presumed NL World Series representative. Now tonight the Nationals are +$160 dogs with the hotter bats, rust is off and better starter on the mound. I know everyone is saying it is a must win for the Stros and the Yankees also won game one. But the Yankees are nothing like these Nationals who battled and crushed their late schedule to make the playoffs and have three Aces to throw at the opponents. So why the line? Because they have to win? Garrett Cole was also unbeatable at home. On a side not, NBA gave out free ML winner with the Clippers at home vs the Lakers last night. So why such a big ML tonight?






