The Washington Nationals fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks last night, 18-7. Starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg got roughed up, ending a streak of great play.
The Washington Nationals got down early last night and never recovered against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg could not make it out of the fifth inning, surrendering nine earned runs over four and two-thirds innings.
Unsurprisingly, this was Strasburg’s worst start this season and is in the conversation for one of the worst starts in his career. Nine earned runs are the most Strasburg has allowed in a game in his career, surpassing his career-worst mark of seven.
Last night, Strasburg allowed nine hits, five of which went for extra bases (one double, one triple, three home runs.
As a result of this start, Strasburg’s ERA ballooned up to 3.72 from 3.26.
Strasburg had done a lot of good to get his ERA down into the low three’s area, especially since the All-Star Break. In his four previous starts, Strasburg allowed only four earned runs in 24.1 innings pitched. More impressively: zero home runs.
So, that raises one obvious question. What should fans make of this blowup start? I think the answer is simple: Not much.
Every pitcher has really off days, but even on Strasburg’s awful starts have some positives. He managed to push through nearly five innings and struck out seven batters. He kept the walks down, allowing only two.
Obviously, allowing three home runs in a ballpark that suppresses them is not good. However, there’s nothing in Strasburg’s profile that sounds the alarm bells. His HR/9 and HR/FB rates on the year, going into yesterday’s start, were in line with his career averages.
There aren’t even any home/road splits to be worried about. In fact, Strasburg has pitched better on the road than at home this season. Over his career, Strasburg’s home/road splits are mostly neutral, so again, no concern there.
This is likely going to be Strasburg’s worst start this season and, while it shouldn’t be ignored, it should not be of much concern. Strasburg will have an additional day of rest before he makes his next start, which will occur next weekend at Citi Field against the New York Mets.
In his career against the Mets, Strasburg has a 2.82 ERA and a .211 opponents batting average allowed. In one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in the MLB, it is a perfect matchup to get him back on track.