Stephen Strasburg is having a bad season so far especially judging by his lofty standards. But it's not a leap of faith to back him in this matchup.




Strasburg has been beset by various physical aliments. Few pitchers can compare to Strasburg - when he's healthy. Everything is in order now with Strasburg. His ankle and back woes aren't bothering him and he's straighten out his mechanics.




Strasburg is ready to cut loose again and this is a perfect spot for him. He's throwing in the premier pitching park in baseball and in his hometown against a San Diego team minus its leading hitter (Yonder Alonso) and top run scorer (Wil Myers).




Strasburg has a 2.14 ERA during his last three starts against the Padres, all victories.




The Nationals are 14-4 in their last 18 games. They have won nine of their last 12 road contests and are 11-5 during their past 16 games at Petco.




Padres starter Ian Kennedy is off his worst start of the season giving up five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings during an 11-4 road loss to the Mariners this past Tuesday. Kennedy has been plagued by the long ball surrendering seven homers in his last four starts that spanned 22 innings.




The Nationals feature one of the hottest hitters in Bryce Harper, who is hitting .543 in his last 10 games and owns a .405 career batting average against the Padres in 12 games.