Washington Nationals Series Preview: Nats Head to Boston for Interleague Clash With Red Sox

Apr 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws during the second inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Strasburg (0-1, 5.06) vs. Justin Masterson (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

Masterson enters his eighth season in the majors making his second stint with the Red Sox, having logged time in between with the Indians, where he spent the better part of six years, and St. Louis. For his career, Masterson sports a 61-72 record with a 4.23 ERA and seven complete games. He features a fastball, a sinker, and a slider, while occasionally mixing in a change-up.

Masterson will enter Tuesday’s game coming off a 6-2 win over the Phillies in which he went six innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. It was a good outing for Masterson, especially considering he’s never been too much of a strikeout machine.

Strasburg will be hoping to bounce back after a poor outing against the Mets last week. Over 5.1 innings, Strasburg struggled, as did the defense behind him, as he surrendered six runs, only three of which were earned. Strasburg also didn’t have his usual dominant strikeout stuff; over just more than five innings, Strasburg struck out five hitters, below his usual rate.

Advantage: In spite of the impressive outing by Masterson last time out, as well as the poor game by Strasburg, the Nationals still hold an advantage in this match-up. If he can return to the form that he showed in his last start of the spring rather than what he put on display against the Mets, the Nationals will be in good shape.