Washington Nationals 2012 Pitchers on Tap: Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez

If Wednesday’s series finale against the New York Mets tells us anything, it’s that it all comes down to the pitching. And there couldn’t have been better timing now that the Nationals have Stephen Strasburg back on the mound.

And boy did he deliver.

In the matchup with Mets starting pitcher Johan Santana, Strasburg pitched for six innings. He had 108 pitches, while only allowing two hits and getting nine strikeouts.

I wish everyday could be Strasmas.

Davey Johnson has a few options in the bullpen this season.

The night before Strasburg handed the Mets a 4-0 loss, Ross Detwiler had a strong first start of the season, and we definitely noticed. Pitching a total of five innings, Detwiler allowed only two hits and had six strikeouts. Where has he been?

The Nationals are giving us something to watch and the pitchers are gaining some much-deserved attention.

Don’t forget about Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez. These closers are stabilizing their pitches and working to help keep the Nats on top of the NL East.

On Opening Day at Nationals Park, Gio Gonzalez made his pitching debut with the team. He pitched seven quick innings and received a standing ovation from the packed house, allowing zero runs in his outing. The 26-year-old southpaw had seven strikeouts, no walks and only two hits. To top it all off, he had his first career hit at the plate. Not a bad day for Gio.

Craig Stammen came in the 10th inning and closed the game, striking out three and allowing no hits.
In the bottom of the 10th, a wild pitch by Cincinnati reliever Alfredo Simon gave Ryan Zimmerman the chance to slide home, ending in a 3-2 Nats win. Like I said, it all comes down to the pitching.

The way these games are going, this season could be a battle on the mound. That’s fine by me; Gonzalez and Strasburg are keeping things interesting.

Keep those Ks coming.