Game 39 Preview: 05/17 Padres vs. Nationals

Another rough loss is in the books after the Padres dropped the third game of the four-game set against theNationals last night. It was the second time in a row our starting pitcher ran into early trouble and the Padres offense couldn't get things done at the plate, digging themselves into a hole that they couldn't climb their ways out of. Today they wrap up the series against Washington and try to salvage a series split while avoiding dipping below the .500 mark on the season.

This afternoon the 19-19 Padres will give the ball to Ian Kennedy, who is coming off his own rough outing. Last Tuesday he struggled early, giving up four runs in the first inning against the Mariners. He gave up five runs overall on eight hits (including two homers), three walks, and a hit batsman; all the while lasting only 4 2/3 innings. The year hasn't gone too smoothly for the right-hander, who aside from struggles on the mound also already spent some time on the DL, but today he'll hopefully build on some decent career numbers against the Nats. In six career starts against them, Kennedy is 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 0.974 WHIP.

Padres hitters will have to find a way to get to Stephen Strasburg, who will make just his second major-league start at Petco Park. The SD favorite pitched a fantastic game in his Petco Park debut in 2013, tossing eight innings of two-run ball. In four career starts overall against the Padres, Strasburg is a dominant 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA. This hasn't been an easy season for the right-hander, however. Through his first seven starts, he's posted a 6.06 ERA while going 2-4. His two most recent starts were especially troublesome. He gave up a combined ten runs (nine earned) through 6 1/3 total innings of work over the two-game stretch.

Game time is set for 1:10 pm PT on this military Sunday.

Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is hosting a $100,000 one-day fantasy baseball league today. It's $3 to join and first place wins $8,000. Enter now!