Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, Bryan Reynolds LF, Starling Marte CF, Josh Bell 1B, Colin Moran 3B, Jose Osuna RF, Kevin Newman SS, Jake Stallings C, Chris Archer. Joey O is back in the saddle.
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| Arch v Strasburg - photo Pittsburgh Pirates |
Pitchers: RHP Chris Archer (3-9/5.23) takes on Nat main man RHP Stephen Strasburg (15-5/3.82). After a pair of strong starts, Archie was meh in his last outing, but hopefully is turning it around. It's time; Archer hasn't won a game since June 6th and the Pirates have lost his last seven starts, four by one run. He had a no-decision in his April start against the Nationals though pitching well, giving up a run on four hits with nine K through seven innings in a game the Bucs lost 3-2. It might be a good time to catch Strasburg. So far this month, he's given up 16 runs in 17-1/3 frames. But he's been a load against Pittsburgh; in nine career starts, he's 6-2/2.40.
Notes:
- The Nats bats have been hot - they've scored 43 runs in their last three games (14 & 16 against the Brewers, 13 v Pittsburgh). The DC nine has pounded an amazing 16 homers in those three games. Archie, today's starter, has had a problem with the long fly, giving up 25 dingers, but in his last three starts has kept the ball in the park. That will be his challenge tonight.
- A couple of moves: the Pirates took Ric Rod off the IL and optioned Montana DuRapau back to Indy. Also, Kyle Crick will begin serving his three-game suspension as Joey O’s five-game vacation is over.
- Chad Kuhl will throw a bullpen here tonight. Jerry DiPaola of the Trib has his progress report.
- A name to remember: Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline has a rundown of the top HS prospects for next year's draft. He writes that third-ranked West Allegheny outfielder Austin "Hendrick clearly has established himself as the top high school position prospect at this point."
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