Matt Williams reacts to weekly honors for Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper

In back-to-back years, the Nationals were given the opportunity to draft two players considered transcendent. Today, both of those young stars shared the National League's Player of the Week honors.

Stephen Strasburg, the top pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, was recognized for the second time in his career (June 7-13, 2010) after going 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA. The right-hander allowed just one earned run over 15 innings while striking out 24 and walking just two in dominating performances over the Phillies and Marlins.

"I'm happy for Stras that he feels good," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "It's been a long season for him in that regard. So that the fact that he feels good is important. When he does, he can do what he has done in the last week."

The Nationals made Bryce Harper the first overall selection in 2010 at just 17 years old. The year before, the phenom donned the cover of Sports Illustrated with a headline labeling him "Baseball's Chosen One." He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2012 and then was bothered by injuries in his second and third seasons in the majors while still delivering more than respectable numbers.

But at 22-years-old, Harper has experienced his breakout campaign in 2015. This is third time this season that Harper has been award the Player of the Week award (May 4-10, 11-17). Over seven games last week, Harper slashed .519/.576/1.111 with five homers, one double, 10 RBIs, five walks and 12 runs scored while the Nats went 6-1.

"They're both very competitive," Williams said. "They have expectations because they're really good and this last week is an example of that. Nobody has any higher expectations of them than they do. Put it that way."

Harper appears headed for the first of many NL Most Valuable Player awards. He leads the league in batting average (.343), on-base percentage (.470), slugging percentage (.674), OPS (1.143), home runs (41) and runs scored (116).

With his two-run moonshot last Wednesday night against the Phillies, Harper became the sixth-youngest player in Major League Baseball to hit 40 home runs in a season, joining Hall of Famers Mel Ott (1929), Eddie Matthews (1953), Johnny Bench (1970), Joe DiMaggio (1937) and slugger Juan Gonzalez (1992).

Strasburg, who tied for the NL lead in strikeouts last season, was bothered by injuries out of the gates this year. He posted a baffling 6.55 ERA in his first 10 starts before landing on the DL.

Since returning from his first stint on the DL on June 23, Strasburg is 7-2 with a 1.99 ERA and the Nationals have won nine of his 11 starts.

"I think the ankle issue bothered him," Williams said. "I think the back issue bothered him. But when he feels good, he's able to reach not only back, but forward and finish pitches and do the things that everyone has seen him do over the last couple of starts."

Strasburg has struck out 37 and walked only three in his three outings this month.

"I think fastball command down allows him to get to that pitch and allows him to get to the curveball and changeup as well. From what I've seen over the last couple of starts, it's early command down in the zone for strikes and then he can climb the ladder. Certainly, he has pitched great for us."

With just 13 games remaining and trailing the Mets by six games, the Nationals will need a repeat performance from Strasburg and Harper to keep their dim playoff hopes alive.

"We're proud of both them," Williams said. "Hopefully, they can continue to do well this week."

Update: Tonight's game has been delayed due to inclement weather. The Nationals have not announced an approximate start time.