A mid-August, Sunday night national game, with Max Scherzer and Cole Hamels facing off in an NLDS rematch from the year before: the perfect stage for a statement game.
Rarely, with an ESPN game, will our crew here at NBC Sports Chicago ask to get an interview on the field following the national broadcast, but because of the big storylines heading into this matchup between the Cubs and Nationals, we made arrangements to be ready, “just in case.” And let’s not forget the rumors of a tiff between Joe Maddon and Alex Rodriguez following A-Rod’s comments about team chemistry issues.