Nationals @ Dodgers June 20, 2016: Strasburg scratched, Kershaw still a go

Stephen Strasburg was set to face off against Clayton Kershaw in what was set to be the best pitching matchup to date. But then this happened:

	Nationals			Dodgers
	7:10 p.m. PT			Los Angeles
CF	Taylor		2B	Utley
LF	Werth		SS	Seager
RF	Harper		3B	Turner
2B	Murphy		1B	Gonzalez
1B	Zimmerman		RF	Thompson
C	Ramos		CF	Pederson
3B	Rnedon		LF	Kendrick
SS	Espinosa		C	Grandal
P	Petit (R)		P	Kershaw (L)

https://twitter.com/chelsea_janes/status/745054794818035712

Strasburg can’t handle the LA heat! But seriously, Washington has to do what’s in its best interest, and this is the obvious play. It would have been fun to see Strasburg v. Kershaw, though.

Instead, the Dodgers will see a familiar face in Yusmeiro Petit, who was formerly with the Giants. He hasn’t started a game all season and has just one in the last two seasons. He’s pitched to a 2.81 ERA and a 4.25 FIP in 32 relief innings. The Dodger offense should fare better against him than Strasburg. Then again, everything looks better on paper.

No Yasiel Puig tonight. But fear not…

Dodgers will activate Yasiel Puig on Tuesday, Dave Roberts says.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 20, 2016

Hopefully this means less “Howie Kendrick in left field” business. It’d also be great if Puig figured things out and went back to being a productive hitter again.

Also, this is not exactly great news.

Frank Montas had irritation in the area of his rib surgery incision, which is why he's on the minor-league DL. Not major, but rough timing.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) June 21, 2016

I’m not overly concerned, but like Andy said, the timing is rough for Frankie Montas. He was on the verge of joining the rotation. Maybe this means Julio Urias gets more than one more start. Would be a shame to shut him down when he’s pitching so well. But this also means more Carlos Frias, starting pitcher, which, sigh.

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