Now that the non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone (one word: snoozer), the Washington Nationals can finally focus themselves on getting into position for the playoffs and planning for the inevitable Stephen Strasburg shutdown (which is coming no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise and seriously let's all just move on.)
While much of the focus has been on dueling strikeout artists Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez, allow us to consider Jordan Zimmermann for a moment. Here's Patrick Reddington of Federal Baseball. (Ed. Note -- Patrick originally wrote that Zimmermann had the third-lowest ERA in the National League)
On a staff that includes Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez it's the right-hander out of Wisconsin who's got the lowest ERA amongst Nats' starters and the second-lowest ERA in the National League. Zimmermann's 3-0 in his last five starts with a 0.87 ERA, 4 walks, 1.61 BB/9, and 24 K's (6.97 K/9) in 31.0 IP, over which he's held opposing hitters to a .189/.216/.255 line.
Pretty good. So, is Jordan Zimmermann the No. 1 starter when the Strasburg shutdown comes? Patrick debated that question with Chase Hughes of CSN Washington and Dave Nichols of District Sports Page. Enjoy.
