Series Preview: A National Problem

This is Stephen Strasburg. He's pretty good.

Once again, I have a hunch that the Houston Astros' next three-game series won't be breaking any attendance records. September baseball in 2011 is rather unexciting as a whole, seeing as there's only one true race (the AL West, and here's one Angels supporter) left. What's worse than that? Maybe a three-game set between the Nationals and Astros? How about the only game that looks interesting--the one that Stephen Strasburg starts--being of course the only game that Fox Sports Houston won't be televising? (Though I'm supposing most of you would be watching the NFL slate on that Sunday anyway. Traitors.) Whew, boy. Talk about a microcosm of our season.

Houston Astros (48-95) vs. Washington Nationals (65-75), September 9-11, Nationals Park

Game 1:
6:05 pm- Bud Norris (6-9, 3.83) vs. Tom Milone (0-0, 8.31)

Game 2:
6:05 pm- Wandy Rodriguez (10-10, 3.47) vs. John Lannan (9-11, 3.48)

Game 3:
12:35 pm- Henry Sosa (2-3, 4.11) vs. Stephen Strasburg (0-0, 0.00)

The 'Stros strongest three hurlers match up against Washington's top line so...there's that I guess. Norris has struck out 36 batters in his last 34 innings pitched, but he gave up five earned to the Brewers in his last start. Milone is making just his second career start; his first one was mediocre, as he received a no-decision after allowing four runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. He did, however, hit a homer on the very first pitch he saw in his very first at bat. Wandy is 4-1 with a 4.98 ERA in his last 47 innings against the Nats. He just came off a quality start against the Crew, one in which he received his 10th loss. Lannan is 3-2 with a 4.33 ERA against Houston in his last 35.1 innings against the club. Sosa v Strasburg should easily be the best matchup of the lot, and as mentioned before, it won't be televised in Houston. Strasburg looked sharp in his season debut against the Dodgers, tossing five shutout innings while allowing just two hits. It will be his first ever start against the local nine.

PREDICTION: I'll actually take the Astros to win this series, taking the first two games. Norris has been a bit of a roller coaster ride lately, and Wandy never is as good on the road, but Milone is young and Lannan is average, so there's potential wins for the taking. Strasburg will be too much to handle for this Corpus Christi lineup, though I have at least some faith if Sosa continues his excellent run.