Nationals Confirm Max Scherzer as Starter for World Series Game 1 Showdown With Gerrit Cole

As if we needed anymore enthralling storylines to get us more thrilled for the 2019 World Series, right?

After the Houston Astros disposed of the New York Yankees in Game 6 of the ALCS on Saturday, with manager AJ Hinch deploying a bullpen-first blueprint, Gerrit Cole was penciled in as their Game 1 starter for the Fall Classic.

As of then, the jury was still out on the Washington Nationals, but the club has confirmed on Monday night that all-world ace Max Scherzer will get the nod on Tuesday.

Honestly, what more could a baseball buff want? Stephen Strasburg has certainly been more dominant than Scherz in the postseason, but a Cole vs Mad Max showdown is simply as good as it gets.

In four games (20 innings), Blue Eye has surrendered just four runs while conceding nine hits and striking out 27 batters, figures that equate to a world-beating 1.80 ERA.

While those numbers are imposing, Cole's have been MUCH better. Across 22.2 innings (three starts), the three-time All-Star has let just one run across the plate, which has earned him a microscopic 0.40 ERA and 0.79 WHIP, while striking out 32 hitters.

Get your popcorn ready, folks, because you are about to witness an all-time great pitching matchup in the World Series.