The Nationals try to play spoiler as they send Stephen Strasburg against the Phillies and Kyle Kendrick. Strasburg faces the Phillies for the first time. The Nationals limited him to 85 pitches in his two starts since coming back from a stiff shoulder. He pitched poorly in one and good in the other, but still has combined for 11 K and two walks in 9 1/3 innings. Batters hammered Kendrick with home runs this season, and his ballpark isn’t to blame. Half of his 22 HR allowed came on the road this season.

Former and current Cy Young winners battle in St. Louis as Tim Lincecum takes the mound against Chris Carpenter. Tim comes off two poor starts, but the trend is longer term. Note that since late May his walks are up and his strikeouts are down. Chris is wilder than in 2009, with more walks and hit batsmen in fewer innings pitched. His ERA is up 0.7 runs, but that still puts in under three and provides the Cardinals with a winning record.

Ubaldo Jimenez makes another attempt at 18 wins as he takes on Barry Enright in the Rockies/Diamondbacks game. Ubaldo pitched well enough to win in his last two starts, allowing four runs in fifteen innings (with 18 K), but either his offense or his bullpen let him down. Enright’s rookie season has been notable for his control, and his ability as a RHP to get out lefty hitters. They combined for a .205/.271/.330 slash line against him.

Finally, David Price and the Rays continue their series at Oakland against Brett Anderson. The match-up of two lefties not only favors Tampa Bay because Price owns the lower ERA, but the Rays are 27-13 when an LHP starts against them, the best winning percentage in the majors, .675. Price has yet to allow a home run in August as he owns a 2.50 ERA in three starts. Anderson walked just four in 25 1/3 innings since coming off the disabled list.

Enjoy!