Washington @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( May 6, 2010 ) Atlanta 2, Washington 3
He’s no longer perfect, but Stephen Strasburg is still dominant.
Strasburg will be looking to bounce back from the first loss of his career when the Washington Nationals open up a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday.
The most hyped prospect in years, Strasburg has not disappointed through his first four starts by setting a major-league record with 41 strikeouts in his first 25 1/3 innings. The right-handed phenom has issued only five walks - all in his second outing against the Cleveland Indians - and has surrendered two earned runs or less in each of his starts.
The No. 1 overall draft pick in 2009 and the recipient of a record $15 million bonus, Strasburg blitzed through two levels of the minor leagues while the Nationals tried to limit his innings and keep his service time under control. But a 7-2 record with a 1.30 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings in the minors and the passing of Major League Baseball’s “Super-2” deadline for arbitration forced Strasburg to the majors, where he has done nothing but amaze.
The debate this week has been whether or not a rookie who didn’t make his debut until June should be tabbed to start in the All-Star Game.
The argument for Strasburg starting seems to carry more merit, as the fans have come out in droves to see him pitch so far. Also, since Major League Baseball insists on having the All-Star Game determine home-field advantage in the playoffs, it would be nice for the National League manager to have such a dominant pitcher at his disposal.
Strasburg, 21, is coming off the first loss of his career last Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals. The San Diego native struck out nine and allowed just one run on nine hits in six innings but Washington failed to score and fell, 1-0.
Monday’s outing against the Braves will mark the first time that Strasburg will be facing a team with a winning record. The Nationals mapped out the youngster’s starts in advance as a way to ease him into the majors, but the Braves are no easy mark - ranking among the National League leaders in runs scored.
The NL East-leading Braves took two of three from the Detroit Tigers over the weekend and are capable of giving opposing pitchers fits. Atlanta boasts a lineup that includes National League batting leader Martin Prado, Chipper Jones, Troy Glaus and Jason Heyward, who could end up being Strasburg’s biggest competition for the Rookie of the Year award this season.
Atlanta will be starting a pretty good pitcher of its own in veteran Tim Hudson on Monday. The right-hander has easily handled the Nationals in the past, owning an 8-1 record with a 1.62 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 14 career starts against the division rivals. Hudson has faced Washington once this season, allowing two runs and five hits in seven innings on May 6.
Hudson is coming off a loss against the Chicago White Sox last Wednesday in which he allowed a season-high four earned runs in seven innings.