Max Scherzer starting Sunday for Nationals could pave way for Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke

LOS ANGELES -- Nationals manager Matt Williams made a decision on Saturday that could end up affecting both Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke for Tuesday's All-Star Game at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

RHP @Max_Scherzer will start for the #Nats on Sunday in Baltimore to close the first half, per manager Matt Williams.

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 11, 2015

Scherzer last pitched Tuesday and will be pitching on Sunday on regular four days rest. Washington was rained out on Wednesday, giving them the option of shuffling their rotation to skip Scherzer, allowing him to pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game. By starting Sunday, Scherzer will now be ineligible to pitch in the midsummer classic.

That means Scherzer will need to be replaced on the National League All-Star roster.

Johnny Cueto is a logical choice since the All-Star Game is in his home park, and he finished second in the Final Vote balloting, ahead of Kershaw, but Cueto is scheduled to start on Sunday as well. That leaves Kershaw a relatively clear path to be chosen for the roster.

"I don't really care how I get to go. I have no pride in that," Kershaw said on Wednesday. "If I get to go, great. If not, enjoy the time off."

Scherzer was in the discussion to start for the NL in the game, but with him out of the picture that leaves Greinke, with the lowest pre-break ERA since 1968 at 1.39, as a heavy favorite. Not that Greinke is too excited about the distinction.

"My family might be excited by it," Greinke said Thursday. "It doesn’t mean much to me."

No official announcement regarding the roster spot has come yet from MLB, and probably won't until Sunday, when both Scherzer and Cueto start. The Reds play at 10:10 a.m. PT on Sunday, with the Nationals starting at 10:35 a.m.

Starting pitchers will be named on Monday in Cincinnati.