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World Series: Washington Nationals look to step on gas with Strasburg in Game 2

By Jake Mastroianni

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals celebrates his solo home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game One of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals celebrates his solo home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game One of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 13: Justin  Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during game two of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on October 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 13: Justin  Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during game two of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on October 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Justin Verlander vs. Washington Nationals

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Like Max Scherzer for the Washington Nationals, Justin Verlander is on a Hall of Fame path.

He was incredible in the first half of his career with the Detroit Tigers, and he’s been even better in his two-plus years with the Houston Astros and is in the running for another Cy Young award.

He posted a 2.58 ERA this season with a WHIP of 0.80 in 223 innings with 300 strikeouts.

But he’s had his struggles in the postseason — at least by his standards — giving up 10 earned runs in his last three postseason starts.

Still, this righty is capable of going out and throwing a no-hitter every time he steps on the mound.

Verlander hasn’t pitched against the Nationals since 2013, so that’ not really that relevant.

Asdrubal Cabrera has seen him the most with 21 hits in 76 at-bats, including 3 home runs.

Yan Gomes, who I thought would get the Game 1 start, will likely start in Game 2 with 11 hits in 41 at-bats against Verlander. However, Kurt Suzuki is 14-42 against him and was tremendous behind the plate in Game 1.

Brian Dozier (6-for-31), Adam Eaton (7-for-31), Howie Kendrick (5-for-23), and Gerardo Parra (4-for-12 with a home run) are the other Nationals hitters with double-digit at-bats against Verlander.

This season Verlander has allowed lefties to hit just .163, while righties have hit .182. Over his career, lefties are hitting lower (.220) than righties (.236) as well.

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