Nats set rotation for first three games of NLDS (plus more notes)

When the Nationals made the postseason in 2012, right-hander Stephen Strasburg had been shut down for the season after reaching an innings limit in the season following Tommy John surgery.

This time around, Strasburg will get the ball for the first postseason game the Nats play.

Manager Matt Williams announced this afternoon that Strasburg will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Giants.

Strasburg will be followed by right-handers Jordan Zimmermann, who will start Game 2, and Doug Fister, who will get the ball for Game 3. Williams said that he has determined who would start Game 4 of the NLDS, if necessary, but will not make that announcement yet.

"Over the last month, everybody's been real good," Williams said. "They've pitched really well. Stephen, in particular, has gotten stronger as this month has gone on. His fastball velocity has ticked up each month during the course of the season.

"We all forget about the fact that he had some surgery last offseason (to remove bone chips from his right elbow) and it took him some time to get back to where he really wanted to be. And I think he's proven that over the last four-to-six weeks, that he feels good. His location's been good, he's healthy and strong. And he's looking forward to this opportunity. All of those things contributed to the decision."

Strasburg enters the postseason having thrown 20 straight scoreless innings over his last three outings. The righty has a 1.13 ERA in his last six starts, striking out 40 and walking three in that time.

"I do know this: I know he's ready, and he's excited about the opportunity," Williams said.

Williams declined to address any roster decisions just yet, and avoided a specific question about whether Rafael Soriano would make the Nats' NLDS roster.

The Nats have until 10 a.m. tomorrow to set their roster.

"We're going to get through today's workout and make sure everybody comes out of that good and make sure that everybody's healthy and feels good about it," Williams said.

Williams said Ryan Zimmerman took part in yesterday's intrasquad scrimmage, and played left field, not third base. Williams described Zimmerman, who missed nearly two months with a strained right hamstring, as "fully ready to go," but declined to address how exactly Zimmerman will be used.

"We'll look for opportunity to get him at-bats, for sure," Williams said. "And then look at matchup opportunities, too, within the series. Without having a foolproof plan at this point, he's gonna get in there and he's gonna be available for us."

It sure appears that Zimmerman will be coming off the bench during this series, giving the Nats a potent pinch-hitting option.