Nationals at Cubs
Washington was among the worst hitting teams in baseball a year ago, but the team hopes that an upgraded pitching staff will propel it into National League playoff contention. The Nationals will be hoping for a fresh start against a Cubs team that was undone by porous defense (an MLB-worst 134 errors) and lackluster starting pitching. Both teams made significant changes in the offseason: Washington acquired pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson, while Chicago brought in new general manager Theo Epstein and manager Dale Sveum. The Nationals' 23-year-old phenom Stephen Strasburg, who has been slowed by injuries in his first two seasons, takes the ball for the first April start of his career as well as his first-ever matchup with the Cubs.
Washington closed the 2011 season with a 14-4 flurry that included a four-game road sweep of NL East champion Philadelphia. Chicago, meanwhile, had just four winning streaks of more than two games last year, but all four came after the All-Star break.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MASN, WDCW DC-50 (Washington), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (2011: 1-1, ERA 1.50) vs. Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (2011: 10-14, ERA 4.80)
Strasburg looked sharp in limited September action after his return from Tommy John surgery last season, but it remains to be seen whether he can live up to his limitless potential over the course of a full schedule. The 23-year-old has logged an amazing 11.35 strikeouts per nine innings over his 17 career starts.
Dempster takes the ball in the Cubs' opener for the second consecutive season, perhaps in part because of his tremendous success against the Nationals in the past. The 35-year-old is 9-1 with a 1.07 WHIP (his lowest against any National League team) and a 2.87 ERA in 23 appearances and 15 starts against Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington 3B Ryan Zimmerman has had some previous success against Dempster, going 6-for-16 (.375) with a home run. His teammates are a combined 10-for-67 (.149).
2. The Nationals won five of eight games against Chicago last season, but the Cubs won the last two on their home field.
3. The Washington offense struck out more times than any team in baseball last year (1,323), and Cubs pitchers were sixth in the majors with 1,224 Ks.