Strasburg takes hill against hobbled Padres (under way after rain delay)

The Nationals send right-hander Stephen Strasburg to the mound tonight in the second of four games against the Padres. Weather permitting, of course. Strasburg is 1-2 with a 5.33 ERA in five starts, but has 42 strikeouts in 27 innings. The Nats have won three of his five starts, most recently a 3-2 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday in which Strasburg picked up a no-decision despite six strong innnings and nine Ks. Strasburg will be opposed by lefty Robbie Erlin, who us 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA...The Nationals send right-hander Stephen Strasburg to the mound tonight in the second of four games against the Padres. Weather permitting, of course. Strasburg is 1-2 with a 5.33 ERA in five starts, but has 42 strikeouts in 27 innings. The Nats have won three of his five starts, most recently a 3-2 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday in which Strasburg picked up a no-decision despite six strong innnings and nine Ks. Strasburg will be opposed by lefty Robbie Erlin, who us 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA in four games, three of them starts. San Diego's lineup looks a little different today after the Padres put third baseman Chase Headley on the 15-day disabled list with a right calf strain. Outfielder Seth Smith, who left last night's game with a groin strain, isn't in the lineup but has avoided for at least a day a trip to the DL. For the Padres SS Everth Cabrera RF Chris Denorfia 1B Yonder Alonso 2B Jedd Gyorko CF Will Venable C Nick Hundley LF Xavier Nady 3B Alexi Amarista LHP Robbie Erlin For the Nationals CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond LF Bryce Harper 2B Danny Espinosa C Jose Lobaton RHP Stephen Strasburg Update: The start of tonight's game will be delayed due to rain. Update II: Tonight's game is expected to start at aproximately 8 p.m. Update III: We're under way at Nationals Park.