Strasburg entered September on a 20-inning scoreless streak, and he didn't get much worse from there. While the streak ended on Sept. 17 after a franchise-record 35 scoreless innings, Strasburg went on to lead the Majors in ERA for the month with an 0.83 mark.
Strasburg also led the Majors in FIP at 1.55 and posted a 4-0 record in five starts with 40 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings. That performance has been the norm for him during the second half, as his 0.86 ERA since the All-Star break leads the Majors.
That second-half hot streak can give the Nationals confidence in Strasburg as a Game 1 starter if Scherzer has to sit for a few days.