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Washington Nationals at Rockies Preview (8/15-8/17)

By Ricky Keeler

Jul 15, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits an RBI single as Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) is shown on the play in the third inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits an RBI single as Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) is shown on the play in the third inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Aug 12, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws to the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Stephen Strasburg (15-3, 3.07) vs. Jon Gray (8-5, 4.26) – 3:10 p.m, MASN

So far, August has not been too kind to Strasburg. Against the Braves on August 12, Strasburg went 5.1 innings, gave up six runs on seven hits, struck out seven, and walked two in his second consecutive loss.

Now, even the best pitchers can go through slump at times, so this shouldn’t alarm anyone. At the same time, Strasburg has given up ten runs in his last two games and has struggled to locate the fastball. That was evident in the three-run home run he gave up to Freddie Freeman in the fifth.

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Strasburg is 4-3 with a 2.35 ERA in seven starts against the Rockies, but he is 1-2 with a 3.44 ERA in three starts at Coors Field. DJ LeMahieu is 4-for-14 against Strasburg with a home run and two RBI’s.

Like Strasburg, Gray is a high draft pick as the Rockies took the 24-year-old right-hander with the third pick in the 2013 MLB Draft. Gray struggled against the Phillies on August 12. In 4.1 innings, he gave up six earned runs on six hits, struck out six, and walked four in a loss.

Gray has lost back-to-back games and has given up ten runs in his last seven innings of work. August has been a tough month for Gray as well when you consider he was 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA in five starts during the month of July.

Next: Nats Player Of Week (8/8-8/14): Anthony Rendon

While Gray has a 4.84 ERA at home this season, it’s the best Coors Field ERA of any Rockies pitcher this season who has made ten or more starts. Gray does have an average velocity of 95 miles per hour (according to Fangraphs) to go with a slider, breaking ball, and changeup. Daniel Murphy is 1-for-5 with a RBI against Gray, but the Washington Nationals have never faced him.

Prediction: Gray does have the best home ERA of any Rockies pitcher, but this will be the start where Strasburg finally gets that 16th win, which would be a new career-high. Plus, in nine road starts this season, Strasburg is 8-0 with a 1.70 ERA and has given up only three home runs. The Washington Nationals get a good outing from Strasburg and get the series win.

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