Cubs Vs. Nationals: When And How To Watch Game 2, 2017 NL Division Series

It's October, and the Chicago Cubs get to do something they haven't done in more than a century: defend a World Series title. The North Siders take that first postseason step as they face the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series. The best-of-five series begins Friday, Oct. 6.

Can the Cubs make it back to the World Series this season? Will the 2017 postseason join last year as part of a Chicago dynasty of multiple championships? Patch gets you ready for each playoff game with all the info you need to know before you enjoy the action on the field.

Also, check out the tentative postseason schedule for hte Cubs if they advance to future rounds. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Lake View and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

2017 NL Division Series: Cubs vs. Nationals

Cubs lead the best-of-five series, 1-0

GAME 2

First Pitch: 4:38 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7

Where: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

TV | Radio | Streaming: TBS | 670 the Score (WSCR-AM), ESPNRadio 1000 (WMVP-AM) | MLB.com

Pitching Matchup: Jon Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA) vs. Gio Gonzaelz (15-9, 2.96 ERA)

Game 1 Results

Cubs 3, Nationals 0

W: Kyle Hendricks (1-0; 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 K, 3 BB) | L: Stephen Strasburg (0-1; 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 10 K, 1 BB) | S: Wade Davis (1; 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 K, 0 BB)

Remaining NLDS Start Times

Major League Baseball released the start times for Games 3 through 5 of the NLDS, and when the series comes to Chicago, fans will have to ask off work early if they want catch the game at Wrigley Field or their favorite watering hole. Here's a look at the times:

• Game 3: 3:08 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9 (4:38 p.m. if there are only two NLDS games that day and both American League Division Series are over)
• Game 4 (if necessary): 4:38 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 (7:08 p.m. if Cubs-Nationals is the only NLDS game)
• Game 5 (if necessary): 4:38 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12 (7:08 p.m. if Cubs-Nationals is the only NLDS game)

Flying The W While Famous

It's no secret that the Cubs have their share of celebrity fans, from Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder to the always-popular Bill Murray. A few of those fans showed their support before the game …

… and some celebrated online after Chicago chalked up its first win of the 2017 postseaon:

Of course, the best and most loyal fans are always the ones who never leave home:

Nats Assistant Coach Suspended

Nationals suspended assistant hitting coach Jacque Jones with pay pending an internal investigation involving a legal matter, according to ESPN. The team announced the suspension less than a half hour before Game 1.

According to the Washington Post, a civil lawsuit was filed against Jones, 42, and the Nationals on Sept. 28 in California Superior Court, accusing the former MLB player of intentionally distributing naked photos of the unidentified plaintiff in the legal action.

Jones played in the majors for nearly a decade, retiring in 2008. He was hired by the Nationals as an assistant batting coach last year.

2016 NLDS, Game 2 (Oct. 8)

Former Cub Jeff Samardzija couldn't beat his old team as Chicago defeated the San Francisco Giants, 5-2. Kyle Hendricks, the starter for Game 1 of the 2017 NLDS, left the game early after he was hit by a line drive, but not before hitting a two-RBI single in the bottom with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second to give the Cubs a lead they never surrendered.

More Patch NLDS Coverage

Cubs Vs. Nationals: Mayors Put Meat, Beer On The Line For NL Division Series: The losing mayor also will donate to hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

Park At Wrigley Hosting Cubs Away Game Viewing Parties: The Cubs are on the road, but that doesn't mean you can't watch their games alongside hundreds of other fans.

Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras and Washington Nationals' Anthony Rendon during in Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday, Oct. 6. (Contreras photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais | Associated Press; Rendon photo by Alex Brandon | Associated Press)

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