Game blog: Nats need to get off to good start as Strasburg returns

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

August 08, 2015, 2:40pm

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The Nationals look to get on the board in their series with the Rockies and welcome back right-hander Stephen Strasburg, making his first start since July 5.

Not only do the Nats need to get off to a good start in this game to benefit Strasburg, they also need to find a way to get off to a good start in each series they play. Recently that has not been the case.

strasburg shadows coors sidebar.jpg The Nationals have now lost the first game of a series in the last five series in a row. They have also lost the first game of a series at home in three of the last five series.

Surprisingly, the Rockies are 22-13 against the Nats in D.C. since 2005, although Washington swept them at Nationals Park last season.

Strasburg is 2-3 with a 3.09 ERA in five starts vs. Colorado. At home overall, Strasburg is 24-16 with a 2.64 ERA in 64 starts. At home versus the Rockies, he is 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA in three career starts.

Rockies starting pitcher is right-hander Eddie Butler (3-8, 5.45 ERA) and makes his first career start against the Nationals. The 24-year-old hails from Chesapeake, Va., and attended Radford University.