The 2019 season might end tonight

This might be it, folks. We’re entering Game 6 of the World Series, and the Houston Astros hold a 3-2 lead over the Washington Nationals. If the Astros win at home tonight, then the 2019 season is over. Fortunately, whatever happens, we have another superstar pitching matchup to enjoy on Tuesday evening.

Justin Verlander gets the start for Houston. The right-hander, who will surely finish in the top two for the AL Cy Young, has started six World Series games in his career but is yet to earn a win — he’s 0-5 with a no-decision and a 5.73 ERA, though three of those starts registered as quality. This would be a good time for him to find that elusive first W.

Meanwhile, Stephen Strasburg starts for Washington. He would be my pick for NL Cy Young, and he already out-dueled Verlander once in this series, back in Game 2. For those who remember a young, post-TJS Strasburg being shut down early by the Nats ahead of their 2012 postseason appearance, another clutch showing by the right-hander here would help erase those old what-if memories.

If the Nats can win tonight and force Game 7 on Wednesday, then Max Scherzer would make the start, after being scratched from his scheduled Game 5 outing due to back/neck spasms. (He would presumably go against Zack Greinke for Houston.)

The game just got underway (5:07 p.m.), so click here to follow along on Gameday! The Nats wasted no time getting off to a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning.