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It'll be an interesting matchup when two young pitchers take the mound at Nationals Park tonight. Going for the Padres will be lefty Robbie Erlin, who's trying to make the most of his time in the big leagues especially now that Josh Johnson definitely won't be returning this season. He hasn't had the sharpest season so far, but has proved to be a solid choice to take Johnson's vacated spot in the rotation. After limiting the Indians to a run on four hits in six innings in his first start of the season, his efficiency dropped and he gave up seven runs in 10 2/3 innings over his last two appearances.
Opposing Erlin will be Stephen Strasburg, making his sixth start of the year. Strasburg has struggled with inconsistency this season and has yet to put together back-to-back quality outings. He'll try to do just that today against the Padres, coming off a two-run performance of six innings against the Cardinals. But he's also been inconsistent against the Padres in his career, going from a 6-1 four-inning loss to a one-run eight-inning victory and finally a four-run six-inning win in his most recent start against them last July (pitching opposite Erlin, who was roughed up for nine runs - including a grand slam - in four innings).
Join us at 4:04 PDT and see how these young hurlers fare in their rematch.