WASHINGTON - Stephen Strasburg lobbed a perfect curveball that broke at the outer edge of home plate. Odubel Herrera took it for a called strike. The count was 1-2, and Strasburg owned an advantage.
Herrera nodded Friday afternoon. He meandered out of the batter's box. He blew on his right hand. He practiced a swing. He stared at Strasburg. He looked down at the dirt and kicked his spikes. He flicked his bat forward.
Strasburg stepped off the rubber. Herrera backed away from the plate. Both men readjusted. Herrera tapped his black bat on both corners of the plate.