Rain appears to be the winner of Tuesday's scheduled game between the Dodgers and Nationals, but just in case the game gets in...
The phenomenon that was Stephen Strasburg in 2010 seemed headed for an August start at Dodger Stadium, though those plans were scrapped when he hit the disabled list. Once he returned, Strasburg made three more starts before walking off the mound with elbow pain on August 21 in Philadelphia.
Less than 13 months later, with Tommy John surgery now behind him, Strasburg is set to return to a major league mound tonight in Washington DC. For a very detailed account of Tommy John surgery and Strasburg's path back to the majors, be sure to read Nathan Fenno's story today in the Washington Post.
Strasburg pitched in six rehab games in the minors, striking out 29 against just three walks in 20 innings. He is scheduled to pitch four innings or throw about 60 pitches tonight, provided the game doesn't get delayed.
Ted Lilly gets the start for the Dodgers, hoping his 2.35 ERA in six August starts will translate to September. Lilly walked 12 and struck out 31 in 38 innings last month, but what was most unusual was that eight of those walks have come in the last three starts. After 37 starts as a Dodger without ever walking more than two batters, Lilly walked three on August 20 and four more on August 31.
A decision on whether or not the game will be postponed won't be made until game time, per MASN, so now we wait.
Lineups
| Dodgers | Nationals | |||
| SS | Gordon | SS | Desmond | |
| 1B | Loney | CF | Werth | |
| CF | Kemp | 3B | Zimmerman | |
| LF | Rivera | LF | Morse | |
| RF | Ethier | RF | Gomes | |
| 3B | Miles | 2B | Espinosa | |
| C | Barajas | 1B | Marrero | |
| 2B | Sellers | C | Ramos | |
| P | Lilly | P | Strasburg | |
Game Time: 4:05 p.m.
TV: KCAL