MLB Player News

Wainwright was named the starter for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Nationals on Saturday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

The 38-year-old will take the mound in Game 2 after Jack Flaherty started Game 5 of the NLDS on Wednesday. Wainwright pitched 7.2 shutout innings Game 2 of the NLDS, allowing four hits and two walks while recording eight strikeouts. Miles Mikolas will start the first game of the NLCS with Flaherty likely starting Game 3.

Mikolas will start Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Nationals on Friday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

Mikolas went five innings during his start in Game 1 of the NLDS, holding the Braves to one run on three hits and two walks, and he will be called on to open the NLCS as well. Adam Wainwright is expected to start Game 2 of the series, with Jack Flaherty likely taking the mound for Game 3.

Buehler did not factor into the decision Wednesday in a 7-3 loss to the Nationals in Game 5 of the National League Division Series after allowing one run on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings.

Buehler exited the game in the seventh inning with a 3-1 lead, but Clayton Kershaw and Joe Kelly surrendered six runs the rest of the way. The 25-year-old Buehler went 14-4 in 30 regular-season starts with a 3.26 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, then allowed just one run over 12.2 innings in his two postseason starts while generating a 15:6 K:BB. He'll enter the 2020 campaign as one of the game's elite starting pitchers in all fantasy formats.

Strasburg did not figure into the decision after going six innings and giving up three runs on six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts Wednesday in a 7-3 win over the Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

Strasburg dug himself an early hole by allowing a two-run homer by Max Muncy in the first inning and a solo blast by Enrique Hernandez in the second. However, Strasburg posted zeros the rest of the way and left after the sixth trailing 3-1, keeping things close enough for a Washington rally. He's yielded only four runs and recorded 21 strikeouts in 15 postseason innings heading into the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals.

Flaherty (1-1) earned the win with six innings of one-run ball, giving up four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in Wednesday's 13-1 win over the Braves in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

Flaherty was spotted 10 -- yes, 10 -- runs by his offense in the top of the first but certainly did his part nonetheless. A solo home run by Josh Donaldson in the fourth inning accounted for the lone Atlanta run. The 23-year-old Flaherty was dominant throughout the regular season and posted a 2.76 ERA with a 16:2 K:BB ratio over 13 innings in his two NLDS starts. Flaherty and the Cardinals will face the Nationals in the National League Championship Series.

Wacha (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Wacha won't be ready to pitch in relief Wednesday in a win-or-go-home game against the Braves, but he looks like he'll be ready to contribute if the Cardinals advance to the NLCS. The right-hander has been idle since suffering a mild right shoulder strain in his last start of the regular season back on Sept. 25.

Kershaw will be available out of the bullpen for Game 5 of the NLDS against the Nationals on Wednesday, but manager Dave Roberts clarified he wouldn't necessarily "piggyback" off starter Walker Buehler as previously said, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Roberts said he meant Kershaw wouldn't be limited to a one-batter or one-inning situation Wednesday, which makes sense given he'll have received a full four days rest heading into the decisive game. It will be all hands on deck out of the bullpen in Game 5 for the Dodgers. The veteran left-hander gave up three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four across six innings during his start in Game 2.

Kershaw could be "piggybacking with Walker Buehler at some point" in Game 5 of the NLDS on Wednesday against the Nationals, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw will be available to pitch in the final game of the series, and according to skipper Dave Roberts, the initial plan is for the southpaw to follow Buehler, who will start the matchup. Kershaw surrendered three runs on six hits and a walk while fanning four over six frames in Game 2.

Buehler is in line to start Game 5 of the NLDS against the Nationals on Wednesday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Washington was able to force a Game 5 after a victory Monday evening, and according to skipper Dave Roberts, Buehler will get the nod. After Monday's loss, Roberts stated that the idea is for Clayton Kershaw to piggyback with Walker, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Stripling will be available out of the bullpen for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Nationals on Monday and is expected to follow Rich Hill, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

According to Moura, Stripling has been dealing with a stye in his right eye, but he was able to insert his contacts and has been cleared to pitch. With Hill not expected to throw more than four innings, Stripling figures to eat up at least a few frames in Game 4.