Wire Taps: Max Scherzer leaves start with hamstring cramping; Nationals’ postseason rotation; Shawn Kelley bone chips in elbow...

We’re here. Game 162 of 162 gets underway at 3:05 PM EDT in Nationals Park, and after that... well there’s no baseball until Friday. I didn’t want to be the one to tell everyone that part, but someone had to. Sorry. We’ll make it through.

Before that, however, Gio Gonzalez takes the mound in the final regular season game as Dusty Baker’s Nationals try for a series win over the Pirates, and a franchise-record tying 98th victory.

While you wait for the late afternoon start to today’s game, catch up on the latest Nationals news...

NATS BEAT:

Max Scherzer exits with hamstring cramp
"Scherzer was sent to receive what the team called a precautionary MRI and was not available to reporters after the game."

Scherzer exits with hamstring cramp, Nats fall to Bucs 4-1
"Baker downplayed the severity of the injury, but with six days until Washington opens an NL Division Series at home against the Chicago Cubs, it did not want to take any chances with its NL Cy Young Award contender."

In final tune-up, Nats’ Max Scherzer lifted in fourth with hamstring cramp
"Saturday’s start against the Pittsburgh Pirates was supposed to be a stress-free tune-up for Scherzer."

Scherzer getting "precautionary" MRI for hamstring cramp
"One thing - and only one thing - truly has mattered for the Nationals during this homestretch: Keeping everybody of significance healthy."

Anthony Rendon, feeling ‘a little fatigued,’ rests Saturday
“'We discussed it yesterday, and [Rendon] thought he needed a day,' Baker said. 'He’s a little fatigued.'"

Pirates rally in 9th to top Nats, Max Scherzer
"Baker did not sound too concerned about Scherzer's injury status, saying it would not affect how the Nationals were planning to slot their playoff rotation."

Shawn Kelley done for the season with bone chips in right elbow
"Between two separate disabled list stints — one for stiffness in his lower back, one for a strained right trapezius muscle — Kelley couldn’t seem to solve his problem."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals ace Max Scherzer leaves final start with hamstring cramp
"Baker has not said whether Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg will get the Game 1 start against the Cubs, and even threatened to wait until next Thursday to announce his rotation."

Regardless of when he gets the ball in NLDS, Jose Quintana is living out his dream with Cubs
"The Cubs have yet to announce their rotation for the National League Division Series showdown against the Washington Nationals, but they will toss Jake Arrieta and Quintana in a simulated game Wednesday at Wrigley Field."

What Statcast Says About the National League Cy Young
"Max Scherzer is the clear front-runner at this point, with a host of other pitchers behind him all trying to make an argument why they might have had better seasons."