GO THE DISTANCE

The Washington Nationals downed Houston 7-2 in Game 6 to force Game 7 on Wednesday night

There will be a matchup of former Cy Young winners who were first-round draft picks in Game 7 of the World Series. Zack vs. Mad Max.

Zack Greinke, who allowed one run over 4

2/3 innings in his firstever World Series start when the Houston Astros won Game 3, will start Wednesday night as the Astros try to win their second title in three years.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Max Scherzer, who missed his scheduled start in Game 5 because of an irritated nerve near his neck, will be the starter in Game 7.

Behind starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals won Game 6 on Tuesday night 7-2 to force Game 7.

Neither Sch erz er, a three-time Cy Young winner, nor 2009 AL Cy Young winner Greinke have ever pitched in a postseason Game 7.

Greinke,a trade deadline acquisition by the Astros this year, is 0-2 with a 5.30 ERA in his four starts this postseason. The 36-year-old right-hander departed Game 3 with a 3-1 lead.

Scherzer had a cortisone shock in his neck Sunday and threw in the outfield Tuesday before Game 6.

"He threw. He felt good," Martinez said.

The 35-year-old righthander told a few reporters after throwing ," I' m good."

Scherzer is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA in five games, four starts, this postseason for the Nationals.

The seven-time All-Star allowed two runs in the first inning in the World Series opener, but no more while throwing 112 pitches over five innings in only his second start in the Fall Classic.