Atlanta @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2012 ) Atlanta 4, Washington 5
Stephen Strasburg is fifth in the majors in strikeouts and 13th in ERA, but Washington’s star pitcher has struggled against Atlanta. Strasburg is 2-1 against the Braves this season, but sports a 4.87 ERA and has benefited from big run support in his games against the team chasing the Nationals for the National League East crown. Washington pushed its lead to six games with a 5-4, 13-inning victory in Monday’s series opener.
Atlanta sends Paul Maholm to the mound Tuesday for the middle game of the three-game set. Acquired from the Cubs at the trade deadline, Maholm is 2-1 with a 1.57 ERA in three starts for the Braves. Atlanta finished 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position in the opener, and the Nationals pushed across the game-winning run on an error by Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportSouth (Atlanta), MASN (Washington).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Atlanta LH Paul Maholm (11-7, 3.39 ERA) vs. Washington RH Stephen Strasburg (14-5, 2.91)
Maholm's victory over San Diego on Wednesday gave him a career high and the left-hander improved to 7-1 with a 1.19 ERA in his past 10 starts. In three starts with the Braves, Maholm has allowed four earned runs with five walks and 20 strikeouts in 23 innings. He is 1-5 with a 5.56 ERA in nine career starts against Washington.
Strasburg comes in on a three-game winning streak, striking out 19 in 18 innings in victories over Miami, Arizona and San Francisco. He has struggled with his control somewhat, walking four hitters in each of his past two starts. Strasburg had a 9-0 lead in his last start against the Braves on July 20, ending up with a no-decision after allowing four runs in 5 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Expect to see Washington C Jesus Flores in the lineup. He is 3-for-6 lifetime against Maholm with two homers and three RBIs. Jason Werth is 9-for-24 (.375) with three doubles, a homer and five RBIs against the Atlanta lefty.
2. Uggla has struggled the past two months, but is 8-for-15 (.533) lifetime against Strasburg with two homers and eight RBIs. Michael Bourn is hitting .200 (2-for-10) with five strikeouts.
3. Atlanta signed 1B Lyle Overbay to a minor-league contract Monday. Overbay will report to Triple-A Gwinnett, then report to Atlanta when rosters expand Sept. 1.