Washington Nationals’ lineup for Game 7 of the World Series with the Houston Astros

“It’s what you dream about,” Ryan Zimmerman told reporters of the opportunity to play in Game 7 of the World Series with the Astros tonight in Houston’s Minute Maid Park.

Washington’s win last night was the Nationals’ fourth in elimination games this season, and as Zimmerman said, it feels like the National League Champions have been playing for their baseball lives since long before the postseason began.

“It’s kind of what we’ve been doing all year,” Zimmerman said. “Sort of started in June, like we talked about, and tomorrow night is what you play for. That team over there is going to be excited as well.

“It’s a really good team we’re going to have to beat, but yeah, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

“It’s what you live for,” Max Scherzer said last night. “For me, I’m in my pregame routine right now, and that’s where I’m just at mentally. Here we go.”

Scherzer, of course, was scratched from his planned start in Game 5 in Nationals Park, but a cortisone shot in his ailing neck has allowed him to recover enough that he’s going to go for Washington in Game 7.

Juan Soto, who went 1 for 5 with a massive home run and an epic bat drop in Game 6, said the Nationals’ knack for surviving elimination games is part of their DNA.

“Never give up,” he said.

“Like I say, never give up. Always fight. It don’t matter if you’re losing or winning, just never give up, fight back.”

“It’s going to be crazy,” Adam Eaton added when he spoke with reporters after last night’s series-extending win. “I’m excited. I think I’ve told many people it’s going to be must-see. Max, after he’s been almost pronounced dead has now been revived by our medical staff, it’s going to be fun. We’re excited. It’s been quite the road, but to end on a game seven is going to be hopefully well-scripted.”

“I’m just really proud of the boys and the way they came out and played today,” Davey Martinez said, after he got ejected for arguing (vociferously) over the controversial Trea Turner/running to first/interference/basepath call in the Nats’ 7-2 win over the Astros.

“We’ve got another game tomorrow. Let’s come back tomorrow and win again,” Martinez added.

Go 1-0 today. Stay in the Fight. Finish the Fight.

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR GAME 7 OF THE WORLD SERIES:

NOTE: Kurt Suzuki is out of the updated lineup the Nationals just released.