Game 2 starter Roark on past playoff losses: "It irks a lot of guys"

The Nationals officially announced what many expected for more than a week: Right-hander Tanner Roark will start Game 2 of the National League Division Series versus the Dodgers on Saturday. Manager Dusty Baker also confirmed that left-hander Gio Gonzalez will start Game 3 in Los Angeles on Monday.

Roark earned the start by going 16-10 with a 2.83 ERA over 210 innings.

Roark went 7 1/3 innings in his only start against the Dodgers this season in Los Angeles on June 22. He allowed three runs on six hits with one walks and five strikeouts in the 3-2 loss. The big blow was a late three-run shot by Yasmani Grandal.

"They've faced me before and I've faced them before, and I've faced them in previous years," Roark said. "You just have to go out there. I remember a lot of things, the pitches I've thrown and stuff like that to the particular hitters."

"So (I will) go back and definitely watch a little video and read the scouting report, because obviously we've come a long way since June. They have made adjustments and I've made adjustments myself. So just got to go out there and, again, pitch with your full confidence and not be afraid to make a mistake and be aggressive."

Baker was asked why it took so long for him to let everyone in on his decision and the likelihood of possibly flip-flopping and starting Gonzalez in Game 2.

"We weren't debating that much," Baker smiled. "We were just kind of messing with you guys, to tell you the truth.

"You know, just went with our two best. Even though they are a predominately a left-handed-hitting lineup, we just went with our two guys that were the best, and Gio will go to (the) third (game)."

Roark is certainly hyped to start Game 2, but is cognizant that Game 1 today is critical, as well.

"Game 1 is most important, and then Game 2 tomorrow is going to be even higher expectations for myself, just to go out there and do the stuff that I know I can do: pitch with confidence and go as long as I can in the game and literally leave everything out there on the field," he said.

Roark threw seven shutout innings or more nine times this season. He also lasted seven or more innings 18 times and posted 22 quality starts. He has allowed a .214 batting average against versus left-handed hitters. He has a career 3.48 ERA in thee games against the Dodgers.

All of those numbers are impressive, but the 210 innings he threw show what kind of a workhorse Roark has become and how critical that has been to shortening games for the bullpen.

"You've got to keep working hard because it's not going to just be given to you," Roark said. "You've got to keep going out there, day in, day out, for four days before (that) leads up til the fifth day and you've got to get your work in in the weight room, running, and do everything to be willing to go and feel 110 percent come day five."

The past losses in the postseason also drive Roark. He was in the playoffs in 2014, and said it is a motivating factor to get into the next round with this group for the first time.

"It irks a lot of guys that this Nationals team has not made it past the first round," Roark said.

"The main thing is we've got to take it one game at a time and not worry about the next game and the next two or three games. Game 1 is most important. Win Game 1. (Then) Game 2 is most important. You've just got to take it game by game."