Tale of the Tape: Hill vs. Roark in Game 2

The Dodgers look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead, while the Nationals try to draw even as the clubs meet for Game 2 of their National League Division Series at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) Sunday on FS1. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday but was postponed due to rain.
Los Angeles will send veteran left-hander Rich Hill to the mound at Nationals Park. Washington counters with right-hander Tanner Roark, who will be making his first career postseason start.
Season stats
Hill: 12-5, 2.12 ERA (3-2, 1.83 ERA since trade from A's to Dodgers), 110 1/3 IP, 129 K
Roark: 16-10, 2.83 ERA, 210 IP, 172 K
:: NLDS: Dodgers vs. Nationals coverage ::
Hill against the Nationals
2016: Did not face Washington
Career: 1-1 in four appearances (three starts), 4.34 ERA, 18 2/3 IP, 17 K, 6 BB
Hates to face:Ryan Zimmerman, 6-for-9 (.667), 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBIs
Why he'll win: Hill posted a 2.22 ERA in five September starts, and in 10 road starts on the season, his ERA was 1.89.
• Hill's high-spin curve matches up well vs. Nats
Pitcher beware: Hill has had blister problems on his pitching hand, resulting in a disabled list stint earlier this season. The Nationals have hit lefties well in '16, batting .259 against southpaws during the regular season before getting to Clayton Kershaw for three runs on eight hits over five innings in Game 1.

Bottom line: Hill has been remarkably consistent in both leagues this year, and his veteran presence should allow him to transition a dominant regular season into October. But he has made only one career postseason start, being chased by the D-backs after three runs on six hits in three innings during the 2007 NLDS while with the Cubs. Hill will need to be poised under pressure to pitch the way he has all season under the bright lights of October on the road.

Roark against the Dodgers
2016: 1 GS, 0-1, 3.68 ERA, 7 1/3 IP, 5 K, BB
Career: 1 GS, 0-1, 3.68 ERA, 7 1/3 IP, 5 K, BB
Loves to face:Chase Utley, 1-for-13 (.077), 2 K
Hates to face:Adrián González, 2-for-4, 2B, HR
Why he'll win: Roark has been great wherever he has pitched this season, but at home, he posted a 2.72 ERA and an 8.1 strikeouts-per-nine-innings ratio.

Pitcher beware: Roark has struggled in the first inning this season, compiling a 4.09 ERA in the game's opening frame. If he gets through the first unscathed, he can usually turn in a strong start. The Dodgers hit .287 as a team during the first inning of games this season, their best collective clip in any frame.
Bottom line: Roark has proven to be one of the better starting pitchers in the Majors, but he has never started a game in the postseason. The 30-year-old made two relief appearances (0-1, 3.38 ERA in 2 2/3 IP) against the Giants in the 2014 NLDS. Like his counterpart in Game 2, Roark will need to manage his nerves to pitch like he has all season and put the Nats in a position to split the first two games before heading to the West Coast.