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Series Preview: Dallas Keuchel makes debut as Atlanta Braves take on the Nats

By Jake Mastroianni

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros reacts in the third inning as a play is reviewed against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros reacts in the third inning as a play is reviewed against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Braves are rumored to have former Astros starter and Cy Young Award winner, Dallas  Keuchel in their wish list. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Game 1 – Dallas Keuchel vs. Stephen Strasburg

The Friday night game in Washington will feature the much-anticipated debut of Dallas Keuchel.

After two solid outings in the minors, the Atlanta Braves are ready for Keuchel to help bolster their starting rotation.

Keuchel made a start against the Nationals back in 2017 and gave up 3 runs (2 earned) over 7 innings on 4 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts.

National hitters have actually had a good bit of success against him. Brian Dozier is 6-for-12 with a home run, Adam Eaton is 5-for-15, Yan Gomes is 6-for-17, and Howie Kendrick is 8-for-21 with a home run.

Washington has hit lefties really well this year with a .286 average against them, so don’t be surprised if Keuchel struggles a bit in this one.

The bad news is that the Atlanta Braves will have to deal with Stephen Strasburg on Friday night.

He dominated the Braves lineup back on May 28 allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks over 7 innings with 11 strikeouts.

Strasburg has made 31 career starts against the Braves and has a 4.01 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in those starts with 210 strikeouts in 168.1 innings.

Freddie Freeman (surprise, surprise) has good numbers against Strasburg with 17 hits in 50 at-bats, including 4 home runs. Nick Markakis is 11-for-39 against him and Brian McCann is 7-for-23.

In a smaller sample size, Ronald Acuna Jr. is 3-for-6 and Austin Riley is 2-for-3.

This might be a good game to let Johan Camargo (3-for-7) get a start at shortstop for Dansby Swanson (4-for-18). But it’s really hard to sit Dansby right now.

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