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Jun 10, 2009 - 6:03 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Cincinnati (30-27) at Washington (15-41), 7:05 p.m. EDT

On Tuesday, Washington used its No. 1 overall pick to draft pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who has the potential to dominate in the majors someday.

For now, the Nationals will settle for Shairon Martis.

After gaining the rights to one of the most talented prospects in the history of the baseball draft, the Nationals give the ball to the wins leader of their current struggling staff as they face the Cincinnati Reds in the middle game of their series Wednesday night.

Washington (15-41), on pace for its second straight season with at least 100 losses, got some much-needed hope with the selection of Strasburg, who went 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA this season for San Diego State, leading the Aztecs to their first postseason berth since 1991.

Featuring a fastball that has been clocked at 102 mph, the right-hander is considered by some as the best college pitcher ever.

Though signing him may be a challenge with agent Scott Boras seeking a blockbuster contract, the Nationals have a chance to field a player who can make a quick impact in a way few draft picks have in this sport. Still, Washington believes Strasburg will need some seasoning in the minors.

In the meantime, the Nationals must make do with a rotation that has a 5.40 ERA.

Martis (5-1, 5.31 ERA) leads Washington in wins even though he's among five pitchers currently on the club with at least four starts and an ERA above 5.00.

The right-hander, though, was a victim of poor run support in his last outing, allowing a run and three hits in five innings of a 3-1 loss to the New York Mets on Friday.

Martis went 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in his previous four starts. This will be his first appearance against the Reds (30-27).

Despite an effective effort from rookie Ross Detwiler - who gave up three runs and five hits over six innings - Washington lost for the 11th time in 13 games, 3-2 on Tuesday.

Cincinnati opened a six-game trip with its first win at Washington in its last seven games there. The Reds got another strong pitching performance, giving them a 2.55 ERA in their last six games, and will now turn to Aaron Harang (5-6, 4.11).

The right-hander, though, is coming off his second straight loss, giving up three runs and eight hits in eight innings of a 3-1 loss to St. Louis on Thursday. He fell to 1-4 with a 5.35 ERA in six road outings this season.

Harang is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts against the Nationals franchise. He'll be facing a Washington team that has scored two runs or fewer in five of its last six games.

Nationals manager Manny Acta is hoping to have left fielder Josh Willingham in the lineup Wednesday after missing a week due to a viral infection. Willingham, who has nine homers, struck out as a pinch-hitter Tuesday.

"Once Josh shows he can swing the bat the way he was swinging it, then he is probably going to go out there more often than not," Acta told the Nationals' official Web site.

Willy Taveras returned to the Reds' lineup, going 0 for 5 in his first start in a week. Hamstring problems held the leadoff hitter out for seven of the previous nine games.

"As long as his legs are underneath him ... it helps our offense," Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said. "He's a sparkplug."

Taveras leads Cincinnati with 12 stolen bases in 15 attempts.