The Nationals are not their same selves from a few years ago they are a quality team now a days with solid pitching and an offense that can hit a bit. They will play the struggling Astros and their struggling pitcher Brian Moehler here today. Moehler has a 7.29 ERA overall this year and a 27.00 in his last 3 starts. I believe he struggles again here as he has a 7.36 ERA during day starts and a 6.06 last year during the day. The Nationals are 5-3 when he pitches and have a .309 average in 97 AB.
Houston right now is just playing awful and during day play they only create 2.84 runs per 27 outs with a .605 OPS, while the Nationals create 4.70 runs per 27 outs during day play with a .755 OPS. Houston at home vs. RHP .229 average with just 3.19 runs per 9 and what is worse is their bullpen has started to fall apart too with an 8.92 ERA over their last 10 games compared to the Nationals 1.86 ERA.
JD Martin goes for the Nats and he's been solid last year and has one spot start and will likely be his last before Strasburg comes up. HOwever, I think he makes the most of it here today against a weak line up as he tries to earn a spot. He pitched well down the stretch a year ago and had a 3.77 ERA in 5 starts during the day in 2009. Houston just 2-8 in his last 10 as a home dog and 16-39 in his last 55 vs. RH starter.
