The Houston Astros have not had a good season. They have been bullied, pushed around and beaten to have one of the worst records of a Major League team. However, their recent trip to Nationals Park finds them a little more comfortable as they have managed to give the Washington Nationals a good run for their money. They have done so well, they have pushed the Nationals into a Sunday rubber match. After barely losing the first game of the series to the Nats thanks to an errant throw, the Astros decimated the Nats Saturday night 8-3. It looks like everything is going the Stros' way, but now they will have to face their biggest challenge since coming to D.C.: Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
Strasburg will be making his second start of the 2011 season, his 14th career start overall. Houston will be the 13th different team Strasburg has faced since coming to the Majors. In Strasburg's first start since returning from Tommy John surgery he surrendered two hits in five innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers and lined himself up for the win (unfortunately the bullpen let him down) in just 56 pitches. Strasburg has yet to hit 100 mph on the radar gun yet, but he has been topped at 99 mph. If the Nationals need a shutdown performance they certainly are sending out the right man to get the job done. Strasburg will face Houston's Henry Sosa (2-3, 4.11 ERA).
Strasburg and the Nationals look to put down the Astros starting at 1:35 P.M.
Fans attending Sunday's game are encouraged to prepare to come to the game early as there will be extra security precautions at Nationals Park and special 9/11 ceremonies and tributes.
Nationals Line Up
Ian Desmond – SS
Rick Ankiel – RF
Ryan Zimmerman – 3B
Michael Morse – LF
Jayson Werth – CF
Danny Espinosa – 2B
Chris Marrero – 1B
Wilson Ramos – C
Stephen Strasburg – SP