The Nationals bring their two game win streak (and seven of eight) against Lucas Harrell and the Astros tonight.
On the mound is: 6'2" 220lb RHP Jordan Zimmermann.
*2nd Round pick by the Nationals in 2007.
*He's a Super-Two player, making $2.3m in 2012.
*Zimmermann is only the 2nd player from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point to make it to the Majors, and the first since Scott May pitched 9.1IP from 1988 to 1991, with a 10.61 ERA.
*According to Baseball America, Zimmermann was the Nats' best prospect going into the 2009 season.
*And then he needed Tommy John surgery in August 2009. In his second start back from TJ surgery, he became the first National to face 18 batters in 6IP.
*In the 2nd inning against the Marlins on May 6, 2011 Zimmermann struck out three batters on nine pitches.
*In 14IP so far this season, Zimmermann has allowed 9H/2ER, 7K:2BB for a 1.29 ERA/0.79 WHIP.
*39 of his 128 strikes (in 180 pitches) have been looking, while he's generated 14 swinging strikes, 24 grounders, 21 flyballs, and 13 line-drives.
*He's pitched twice against the Astros in his career, with a 7.15 ERA/1.32 WHIP. He last faced them on July 19, 2011, when he allowed 7H/6ER, 5K:0BB in a 7-6 loss.
*Zimmermann only has 12 PAs against current Astros, with Carlos Lee (3x6) and Chris Johnson (1x2) getting the hits.
*He has thrown his fastball 62.2% of the time this season, with a slider coming in second at 21.1%, and a curve 15% of the time.
*Lucas Harrell has never started against the Nationals, but in 5PAs has walked Wilson Ramos and Ryan Zimmerman. He faced them in relief on September 9, 2011, throwing 1.1IP, with an unearned run and three walks.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
