Strasburg recorded a win in his first start of the 2018 season Saturday against the Reds, striking out seven in 6.1 innings while allowing three runs (one earned) on eight hits, a walk and one home run.
A fourth-inning solo shot by Scott Schebler was the primary blot on an otherwise solid performance by Strasburg. He pitched the entire game with at least a three-run lead after the Nationals scored three in the top of the first inning and never came close to giving it up, save for a two-run rally in the bottom of the sixth which followed a Trea Turner error. The 29-year-old has struck out over a batter per inning in every season except his injury-shortened 2011 campaign, and he opens 2018 on track to do the same. He's expected to next take the mound Thursday against Jacob deGrom and the Mets in Washington.