By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Sports Writer

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Max Scherzer is scheduled to start the Washington Nationals' exhibition opener against the Houston Astros in a rematch of last year's World Series. Scherzer's last start came in Game 7 of the Fall Classic at Houston. The Nationals won that one for the first championship in franchise history. Since then, the Astros have become embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal dating to their 2017 title. Scherzer threw his first live batting practice of spring training on Wednesday and declared that his shoulder felt tired - which the three-time Cy Young Award winner said is a good thing.

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