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Tonight, when the Nationals face the Marlins and Ricky Nolasco, it will mark the first time in what's likely to be a long series of matchups between Stephen Strasburg and another team's top starter. Nolasco isn't the Marlins' best hurler - that distinction probably belongs to Josh Johnson - but he gets the start in Florida's first game of the second half. And with him on the mound, the Nationals have a chance to do some damage.
Nolasco comes into the game having pitched seven innings or more in his last four starts, but the Nationals beat him up in a 7-1 win back in May, and he only has a 4.37 ERA against them in 10 career starts.
Add the fact that 41 runners have tried to steal on catcher Ronny Paulino (and 25 have succeeded), and the Nationals' offense could be set up for a favorable start to the second half.
