Strasburg Takes Mound At Right Time

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Today, the Washington Nationals try to stop what is now a four game home losing streak. They have just the right guy heading to the mound to complete that feat, however, in Stephen Strasburg.

This season, Strasburg is 8-1 with 100 strikeouts. He's got a 1.04 WHIP (walks, hits per innings pitched) and an ERA of 2.45 this season.

Strasburg has been even better in the month of June.

In three starts, he's gone at least six innings and has struckout a total of 30 batters. He's got a 1.89 ERA this June and is 3-0. His WHIP rating is below 1.00, as well.

Multiple times this year Strasburg has stepped in to help stop the Nationals bleeding. Whether it's avoiding a sweep or stopping a losing streak before it spirals out of control, he's been reliable in both situations.

During the Nationals first three game series against the Pirates, they dropped the first two games to the Pittsburgh team. In the previous series, they lost the third game against the Phillies. In three straight losses coming into Strasburg's start, the Nationals were outscored 18-9.

Strasburg then pitched six beautiful innings striking out 13 batters and giving two runs and just one earned run in the Nationals 4-2 victory. Strasburg even had a hit in that game.

The second time Strasburg stopped a Nationals losing streak was on May 20th against the Baltimore Orioles. The Nationals had dropped three straight going back to game three against the Pirates the series before.

Strasburg then took the mound and was just what the doctor ordered. He didn't pitch a gem, but he pitched well enough. He struck out eight batters and gave up just one earned run. The Nationals bats came alive and Strasburg got credited with a 9-3 win.

A third time Strasburg came to the rescue of the Nationals was against the Braves on June 2nd. The Nationals had just returned from a three game sweep at the Marlins where they were outscored 13-7.

Strasburg then pitched arguably his best game yet. He struck out nine batters and only gave up four hits and no runs over seven innings to give the Nationals a 2-0 win.

Strasburg, the last Nationals pitcher to win a game this season, takes the mound again today looking to stop the bleeding for the Nationals. Following a home sweep from the Yankees, the Devil Rays came in swinging hot bats and took a 5-4 win yesterday.

If there was ever a pitcher to take the mound during a teams time of need, it would be Stephen Strasburg. The Nationals desperatly need a win and Strasburg is their best bet to pick one up today.