April 16-19: Astros (4-5) @ Nationals (7-3)

[YanksNats1987]

-------------Houston Astros (4-5) @ Washington Nationals (7-3)
April 16-19, 2012




Monday @ 7:05 PM ET


Kevin Weiland (0-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. Stephen Strasburg (1-0, 0.69 ERA)

Astros: Weiland, acquired from the Red Sox along with Jed Lowrie in a winter trade, was rocked for eight hits and four runs in five innings in his first start with Houston on Tuesday against Atlanta. He has never faced Washington.

Nationals: Last Wednesday against the Mets, Strasburg pitched six shutout innings, allowed two hits, struck out nine batters and walked three. He also threw a career-high 108 pitches.

Tuesday @ 7:05 PM ET


Wandy Rodriguez (0-1, 2.38 ERA) vs. Gio Gonzalez (0-0, 3.38 ERA)

Astros: Rodriguez held the Rockies to no earned runs in 6 1/3 innings on Opening Day, and gave up three earned runs in five innings Wednesday against Atlanta. The Astros have committed four errors in each of his two starts.

Nationals: This past Thursday, Gonzalez started the game for the Nationals and showed why they traded four prospects to the A's to acquire his services last December. He was outstanding, pitching seven superb innings, allowing two hits and not walking a batter.

Wednesday @ 7:05 PM ET


-----------Lucas Harrell (1-0, 3.27 ERA) vs. Jordan Zimmermann (0-1, 1.29 ERA)

Astros: Harrell fell behind in the count too much in his most recent start Friday in Miami, allowing seven hits and four runs in four innings. He was terrific in his first start of the season in which he threw seven scoreless frames.

Nationals: On Friday, Zimmermann had another superb outing, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on three hits in a no-decision vs. the Reds.

Thursday @ 7:05 PM ET


-------Bud Norris (0-0, 4.15 ERA) vs. Edwin Jackson (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

Astros: Norris wasn't able to give the Astros a quality start in his most recent outing, allowing six hits and four runs in six innings Saturday against the Marlins. He's 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA in two career starts against Washington.

Nationals: On Saturday, Jackson gave the bullpen the rest it needed by tossing a complete game -- his first of 2012 and fifth of his career -- in his home debut, allowing one run on two hits. He fanned nine and walked one, with 67 of his 92 pitches strikes.

[J.Twiggy]

For some reason we have always struggled against the Astro's

[YanksNats1987]

For some reason we have always struggled against the Astro's

It's Astros. Unless we are playing the Jetsons' dog...?

[J.Twiggy]

Oh my bad that was a braincramp on my part

[RCarlson85]

I really think we can take 3 out of 4 from them, especially playing at home. We just did that to the Reds who are a better team. It would be awesome to finish up this series at 10-4.

[J.Twiggy]

I agree 3 out of 4 would be ideal.

[Carlznerson]

Well with the guys we have on the mound in this series I wouldn't be surprised to see a sweep (knocks on wood). 3 out of 4 though is definitely fine.

[Carlznerson]

Nats lineup:
1. Desmond SS
2. Lombardozzi 2B
3. Zimmerman 3B
4. Laroche 1B
5. Werth RF
6. Nady LF
7. Ankiel CF
8. Ramos C
9. Strasburg P

Davey says nothing wrong with Espinosa just a maintenance day/mental break. Also says Zim could miss one of these games for the same reason.

[RCarlson85]

Well with the guys we have on the mound in this series I wouldn't be surprised to see a sweep. 3 out of 4 though is definitely fine.

I don't see why we coudn't sweep them with the way our pitchers are playing. I was just trying to temper my expectations a little. LOL

[RCarlson85]

Nats lineup:
1. Desmond SS
2. Lombardozzi 2B
3. Zimmerman 3B
4. Laroche 1B
5. Werth RF
6. Nady LF
7. Ankiel CF
8. Ramos C
9. Strasburg P

Davey says nothing wrong with Espinosa just a maintenance day/mental break. Also says Zim could miss one of these games for the same reason.

Not a bad idea to give Espinosa a day off. He's off to kind of a slow start at the plate. Zim needs to break out of his slump in the worst way. I predict a breakout game from him this series involving a HR and mulitple RBIs.

[J.Twiggy]

Big game by Lombardozzi and we remain in first place for at least one more day.

[YanksNats1987]

Nats win!! Makes the Caps loss sting a little bit less...

[J.Twiggy]

If we can just keep our heads above water until we get Morse and Storen back we can make a serious run at this thing.

[YanksNats1987]

If we can just keep our heads above water until we get Morse and Storen back we can make a serious run at this thing.

Their returns will be welcomed but are never a sure thing. And as we all know with baseball, rarely are teams ever fully healthy.

[J.Twiggy]

It will be interesting to see how the rest of this series goes and homestand.