What to Watch for: 6/20
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Tampa Bay Rays (38-29) vs. Washington Nationals (38-27)
RHP Chris Archer (0-0, -.–) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (8-1, 2.45)
Stephen Strasburg will start tonight against the Rays in the second game of the series, as he looks to put an end to the Nationals four-game losing-streak and improve upon his 8-1 record. Meanwhile, the Rays counter with Chris Archer making his Major League debut for Tampa Bay after being promoted from Triple-A Durham earlier this week.
NATIONALS LINEUP:
1. Lombardozzi LF
2. Harper CF
3. Zimmerman 3B
4. LaRoche 1B
5. Morse RF
6. Desmond SS
7. Espinosa 2B
8. Flores C
9. Strasburg RHP
FACING A NEW FACE
Chris Archer takes to the hill tonight for the Rays, making his MLB debut against the Washington Nationals. The Nationals (2005-present) are 3-4 all time when opposed by a starting pitcher making his MLB debut. The last time Washington faced a starter making his MLB debut was September 7, 2010 when the New York Mets Dillon Gee made his first MLB start.
STRASBURG LOOKS TO JOIN LIVO
With a win tonight, Stephen Strasburg would become the first National since Livan Hernandez in 2005 to earn a win in six consecutive starts. Strasburg’s .889 winning percentage trails only the New York Mets R.A. Dickey (.917) and his eight wins are tied for fourth in the National League.
DC’S 1-2 PUNCH
With Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez set to oppose the Rays the next two nights, note that the Nationals are 21-5 (.807) in games started by their top two starters this season.
