WASHINGTON – There is no physical force in baseball quite like Max Scherzer, a grunting, stomping, whirling mass of muscle and mechanics that coalesce to form arguably the game’s most dominant pitcher.

Wednesday night, however, Scherzer plans to perform his act under conditions he’s never experienced.

Scherzer broke his nose Tuesday while bunting during batting practice, but no matter: Manager Davey Martinez says Scherzer plans to pitch the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday evening at Nationals Park.

“He was very adamant about pitching,” Martinez said Wednesday morning of his Tuesday evening conversation with his ace, after the Nationals and Phillies were rained out a second consecutive night.

Max Scherzer broke his nose Tuesday while bunting during batting practice. (Photo: Orlando Ramirez, USA TODAY Sports)

“His spirits were up last night. He said, ‘Hey, I’m pitching. Expect me to pitch tomorrow.’”

It’s not known whether Scherzer will wear a protective splint around his nose or face. Martinez said the biggest concerns Wednesday were whether the swelling near his right eye worsened overnight, or if his breathing was affected while pitching. A CT scan taken Tuesday was negative.

Right now, he has one black eye, Martinez says, making the famously polychromatic Scherzer a tri-colored presence. As Tuesday’s rain delay continued, Martinez said Scherzer was in his office, running through his usual facial tics and seeing how it felt.

All was well, apparently.

So Scherzer was to call pitching coach Paul Menhart upon awakening Wednesday with any overnight updates. As of 11:30 ET, no news was good news as the Nationals prepared to roll out Patrick Corbin against Zach Eflin in Game 1, with 26th man Austin Voth or Erick Fedde on call if Scherzer can’t answer the bell for Game 2.

Not that anyone expects that from Scherzer, whose 2,585 career strikeouts are matched by nearly as many determined stalks around the mound, his ultimate safe place.

“I am convinced right now,” says Martinez, “Max will pitch the second game.”

WATCH – Max Scherzer, who's scheduled to start Wednesday, was hit in the face by a ball during batting practice.

Details: https://t.co/sNoPv3co00pic.twitter.com/27FonlyC33

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