Arizona @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2010 ) Arizona 9, Washington 2
Washington Nationals rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg probably won’t be doing much thinking in Sunday’s three-game series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Don’t worry. That’s probably a good thing.
The right-hander said he was overthinking his form and mechanics in Tuesday’s start against Florida, his first since going on the disabled list July 29 with inflammation in his pitching shoulder. Strasburg gave up a career-high six run on six hits, all for extra bases, in just 4 1/3 innings in an 8-2 loss to the Marlins.
Strasburg (5-3, 3.0-7 ERA) will try to give the Nationals (50-67) a series victory in his first start against the Diamondbacks. Washington has not lost a series to Arizona since its inaugural one July 8-10, 2008.
Rookie right-hander Barry Enright (3-2, 2.64) starts for the Diamondbacks (47-71), who seek their fourth series victory in their last five. They roughed up Jason Marquis on Saturday night as Miguel Montero hit two of Arizona’s four home runs – three off Marquis – in a 9-2 victory. Montero has six homers in his last 14 games.
In a bullpen session after Tuesday’s game, Strasburg was told by Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty to not worry about being perfect and to concentrate on the batter instead. Most batters are going to have trouble with Strasburg period. The 22-year-old throws 100 mph heaters and has a nasty curveball and changeup.
Strasburg will get most of the attention today, but Enright has been among the better pitchers in the National League since he was called up to the Diamondbacks at the end of June.
Enright has allowed two runs or fewer in six consecutive starts. He has pitched at least six innings in five straight starts, including an 8-4 victory over the Nationals on Aug. 5. He gave up homers to Adam Kennedy and Ryan Zimmerman among his six hits. Enright is 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three road starts.
In addition to his quality starts, Enright has a five-game hitting streak and is 6-for-16 this season with four RBIs. He has said he is eager to face Strasburg in and see what a 100 mph fastball looks like.
Washington, which went down to the wire in 2009 trying to sign Strasburg, appears to be in the same predicament this season.
The Nationals have until midnight Monday to reach an agreement with Bryce Harper, their 17-year-old No.1 overall draft pick. Harper, a catcher who the Nationals envision as an outfielder, hit .443 with 31 homers in junior college at the College of Southern Nevada.
Harper and Strasburg both are represented by agent Scott Boras.
Arizona reliever Juan Gutierrez, out with a shoulder injury, threw a simulated game Saturday and said he had no pain. He should be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday.