Nationals at Reds
The Washington Nationals haven't engaged in many pitchers' duels while dominating the Cincinnati Reds recently, although a lack of runs didn't keep the defending National League East champions from securing a win on Opening Day. The visiting Nationals hope up to pick up the pace a bit offensively Saturday when they continue their three-game set with the Reds.
Max Scherzer struck out 10 over six scoreless frames to give Dave Martinez his first big-league managerial victory and Washington its first win despite scoring only two runs - one on an RBI fielder's choice groundout and one on a sacrifice fly - against the NL's worst pitching staff a season ago. The Nationals averaged 8.7 runs - tallying fewer than five runs only once - while winning six of seven from the Reds last season, outscoring them 61-26. Cincinnati wasted a solid six-inning effort from Homer Bailey and a 4-for-4 performance from Scooter Gennett, as the duo went 5-for-6 while their teammates batted 2-for-28. The Reds could struggle scoring again Saturday if Stephen Strasburg maintains his form from last season, as he did not give up an earned run in eight of his final nine outings in 2017 (including playoffs).
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (2017: 15-4, 2.52 ERA) vs. Reds RH Luis Castillo (2017: 3-7, 3.12)
Strasburg concluded one of his healthier seasons in dominant fashion, throwing nine scoreless outings while yielding a total of nine earned runs and striking out 104 in his final 14 turns of the season (including postseason). As a result, the former No. 1 overall pick finished third in the NL Cy Young Award voting after logging 28 starts - his most since 2014. Strasburg went 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two outings versus the Reds in 2017, improving to 3-1, 4.40 in eight career starts against Cincinnati.
Acquired from the Miami Marlins as part of the Dan Straily trade in January of 2017, Castillo was arguably the team's best pitcher in his 15 turns, fanning at least eight in three of his final four starts to finish with 98 strikeouts over 89 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old Dominican led Cincinnati starters in ERA, WHIP (1.07) and batting average against (.202), but the club backed him with no more than two runs in each of his last five losses. Castillo faced the Nationals twice last season, going 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Nationals have won 10 of the last 12 meetings with Cincinnati.
2. Reds closer RHP Raisel Iglesias will be unavailable until at least Sunday after he was placed on the paternity list Thursday.
3. Washington OF Bryce Harper had two singles Friday, ending his three-year streak of hitting a home run on Opening Day.