Giants vs. Nationals, 2014 NLDS Game 1: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
After taking care of business in the NL Wild Card game, the Giants send grizzled vet Jake Peavy to the hill in Game 1 of the NLDS opposite a kid who grew up watching him.
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Stephen Strasburg will make his postseason debut on Friday when the Nationals take on the Giants in Game 1 of the NLDS in Washington, D.C.
The 26-year-old right-hander was healthy and at the top of his game when the Nationals' management decided to shut him down for the remainder of the 2012 season after his start on Sept. 7 of that year. Strasburg sat out the NLDS, which the Nationals dropped to the Cardinals in five games as controversy swirled around the unorthodox decision.
Two years later, Strasburg doesn’t have much interest in talking about it.
“I don’t know. I mean, I’ve been asked that question so many times, and I try not to look back on what it was like two years ago,” Strasburg told reporters on Thursday. “I’m just trying to live in the present, and I’m excited for getting the chance now.”
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft gets his chance against Jake Peavy, whom Strasburg -- a native of San Diego -- is no stranger to watching.
"I got a chance to see him do some special things for the Padres," Strasburg said of Peavy. "It's a tremendous opportunity, and I think I'm just excited for getting a chance to pitch in the postseason. It doesn't really matter who I'm facing," he added.
Series Preview
Strasburg led the NL in strikeouts during the regular season, whiffing 242 batters in 215 innings while posting a 3.14 ERA. His opponent, Peavy, is no stranger to strikeout titles, earning two during his time in San Diego. Peavy was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game back then, but postseason success always eluded him. The 33-year-old right-hander owns a 9.27 ERA in five career playoff starts, but he began to right the ship last year while with the Red Sox.
“I think my best postseason start would be Game 4 of the ALDS in Tampa,” Peavy said on Thursday. “I felt I was under control of that game for the most part.”
Peavy allowed only one run on five hits in 5⅔ innings in that outing, but gave up nine runs in his next seven frames spanning two starts against the Tigers and Cardinals in the ALCS and World Series.
Game time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports 1
Radio: ESPN Radio (affiliate locator)
Streaming: Fox Sports Go
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