Nationals at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: SPNLA, MASN 2

In a matchup of aces, the Nats send RHP Max Scherzer (3-1, 1.33 ERA) to the mound to face the Dodgers’ LHP Clayton Kershaw (1-2, 1.73 ERA). USA Today’s Jorge Ortiz had a game story that’s more entertaining than I could write, so I’ll defer to him. He calls this a matchup between a dying breed of aces.

Scherzer and Kershaw cross paths as the only active three-time Cy Young winners, as well as top-five finishers in the ballot each of the last five seasons, credentials that will burnish their Hall of Fame cases. Of the 10 pitchers ever to claim three Cy Youngs, the only one eligible for the Hall without a plaque in Cooperstown is Roger Clemens, who has been dogged by accusations of steroid use.

Anybody hungry?

Today in Dodgers’ history:

• 1999 A crowd of 37,317 fans enjoys a 3-2 victory over the Braves when LA surpasses the 100 million mark in attendance at Dodger Stadium. The ballpark opened in 1962, four seasons after the franchise moved from Brooklyn to the west coast.
• 2011 Bud Selig announces MLB is taking over operations of the Dodgers because of concerns over team finances and the ability of Frank McCourt to run the franchise. Los Angeles is facing substantial debt payments, which the owner plans to meet by using funding from the club’s new $2.5 billion, 20-year media-rights deal with Fox Sports, but the Commissioner has withheld his approval of the agreement between the News Corp.’s media company and the team.
• 2012 The Reds become the fifth major league team to record their 10,000th franchise victory with a 9-4 win over Chicago at Wrigley Field. Cincinnati joins the Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, Cardinals, and Braves in reaching the milestone.

Lineup: