Strasburg, Nationals Look to Turn Things Around in Game Three Against Pirates
By Pablo Roa
May 19, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) pitches during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Marred in a three game losing streak and sitting in third place in the National League East, the Washington Nationals turn to ace Stephen Strasburg to turn things around and help the team snap a three-game losing streak against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Strasburg (3-3, 3.38 ERA) looks to build off a strong start against the Reds last week in which he allowed just two runs over seven innings of work. While Strasburg’s record doesn’t show it, the right-hander has been mostly dominant of late, allowing two runs or fewer in all but one of his last six starts.
The Pirates will counter with a former number one overall draft pick of their own in right-hander Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.84 ERA). Cole has already allowed as many home runs as he did last season but is undefeated in four starts at home this season.
Prior to Saturday night’s game, the Nationals are at .500 for the first time all season with a record of 24-24 and sit three and a half games behind the Braves for first place in the division and a half game behind the Marlins for second place.
Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:
Nationals
- CF: Denard Span
- 3B: Anthony Rendon
- RF: Jayson Werth
- C: Wilson Ramos
- SS: Ian Desmond
- 1B: Greg Dobbs
- 2B: Danny Espinosa
- LF: Nate McLouth
- SP: Stephen Strasburg
Pirates
- RF: Josh Harrison
- 2B: Neil Walker
- CF: Andrew McCutchen
- 1B: Ike Davis
- C: Russell Martin
- 3B: Pedro Alvarez
- LF: Starling Marte
- SS: Clint Barmes
- SP: Gerrit Cole