Both the Nats and Braves have played over .700 baseball since the series split at Nats Park and the Nats have gained a half game. So while the Braves have been red hot so have the Nats. Neither teams can stay this hot forever though. Those six games against each other are very important for both teams. I also want to add that I know John Lannan has defied advanced stats, but he hasn't exactly been a terrible starter in his career and will more than likely only be pitching in 4-6 games to end the season. The Nats could limit that even more by using Gio or Edwin or three days rest or skipping that spot when they get an off-day. So the actual number of games Lannan will pitch is unknown, and while most any starter would be a drop off from Strasburg I think the Nats can go .500 in those games and let Gio, Zimmermann, Detwiler, and Jackson pitch the way they have all season. It is just my opinion, but I think people are exaggerating the impact of the Strasburg shutdown on the regular season.