The Washington Nationals look to try to close the gap on their NL East rivals, the Atlanta Braves. But, if they want to do that, they'll definitely need consistency from their pitching staff.

Stephen Strasburg has delivered his trademark consistency over his past three starts and will attempt to turn in another strong performance when the skidding Nationals start a 3-game series with the Atlanta Braves tonight. Consistent dominance from Strasburg (3-5, 2.49 ERA) would definitlely help the Nationals tighten the race, which they desperately need, as they've lost 4 of 6 after losing 2-0 Baltimore on Thursday.

Strasburg has gone 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in his last three starts. This comes after posting an 0-5 record and 3.61 ERA during the previous seven outings. He has only allowed three earned runs in his past four games.

"My fastball command has gotten a little better as the season has gone on, and I've gotten more comfortable out of the stretch," Strasburg told the team's official website. "It's all about making adjustments. Sometimes you're not going to start the year where you want to be, but it's all about how you end the season."

Strasburg was great on Sunday, only allowing one run on an eighth-inning balk and striking out 9 in a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

In two starts versus Atlanta this year, he's gone 0-1 while allowing four runs -- two earned -- in 12 innings with 15 strikeouts. He received three total runs of support.

Watch Steven Strasburg take on the Atlanta Braves tonight on MLB.tv.