NATS VS. DODGERS

Schedule: Game 1, Thursday, at Los Angeles, 8:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Los Angeles, 9:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Los Angeles, TBA (TBS). x-if necessary. Season Series: Dodgers won 4-3.

BIG PICTURE Nationals: Surged to a playoff spot for fifth time in eight years by turning things around after a dismal start; they were 19-31 after May 23 loss to Mets completed a four-game sweep. Washington is first team in more than a century to fall 12 games below .500 and finish with 93 wins or more. Dodgers: Rolled to seventh consecutive NL West title by 21 games over Arizona and set franchise record with 106 wins, second in majors to Houston (107). Dodgers were dominant at home with 59-22 mark and have home-field advantage through NL playoffs. WATCH FOR

Mad Max. Scherzer gave up two early homers to Milwaukee in wild-card game, allowing three runs and four hits in five innings. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, slowed by a back injury this season, is 4-5 with a 3.83 ERA in 14 postseason starts and 17 appearances.

Dodgers Newcomers. Keep an eye on rookies Gavin Lux and Will Smith. What they lack in playoff experience, they make up for in ability and poise while being embraced by the veterans.

Rendon’s Bat. Manager Dave Martinez has lobbied for Anthony Rendon to get MVP consideration and there’s no doubt who Washington’s best hitter has been. He led the NL in RBIs and ranked second in OPS and in the top five in batting average.

Streakin’ Seager. Cory Seager, the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year has rebounded from elbow and hip surgeries in 2018. He ended the regular season by batting .400 over the last 11 games with nine extra-base hits.