Strasburg in October..

[Minty Fresh]

Can you prove that he's not?

No more than you can prove he is.   

[wpa2629]

No more than you can prove he is.   

If God is all powerful, can he make a rock he can't move?

[MorseTheHorse]

If we make the playoffs and Stras isn't pitching I will be pretty pissed. 

[Lintyfresh85]

That's the culture of sports.  But there is an element I think where they all profess to say the "right thing" about giving 110%  or making all possible sacrifice, but deep down they know it's a bit of a spiel.  Sure, many legitimately buy in to the program, but I would contend that a confidential poll would show more interest in long term career and health than in "win now", as compared to interviews or other reports where they can be identified.

As an individual looking out for their future, I hope they would look out for theirselves... but I was talking more about what they expect from their teammate... and that's to give it their all, regardless of the dangers.

While they may not personally be comfortable putting their body at danger... right or wrong, they certainly expect their teammate to do so.

Obviously the situations I'm talking about in terms of putting your body on the line... works more with a football analogy... but it still works pretty well with a pitcher, as well.

[MorseTheHorse]

so it seemed like most of his fastballs last night were 96 or 97 on the stadium gun.  Anybody have his avg fastball speed from last night?  (Where do you get that info btw?)

[Lintyfresh85]

so it seemed like most of his fastballs last night were 96 or 97 on the stadium gun.  Anybody have his avg fastball speed from last night?  (Where do you get that info btw?)

I think Brooks baseball has it.

[tomterp]

While they may not personally be comfortable putting their body at danger... right or wrong, they certainly expect their teammate to do so.

Sure, and Stras is going to say the right things, and the club is going to shut him down for his own health regardless.  And Stras cannot be held responsible for not playing, it's Rizzo's "fault". 

Somebody always must be blamed, if SF has taught us anything over the years.   

[MorseTheHorse]

Sure, and Stras is going to say the right things, and the club is going to shut him down for his own health regardless.  And Stras cannot be held responsible for not playing, it's Rizzo's "fault". 

Somebody always must be blamed, if SF has taught us anything over the years.   

Are you sure Stras will say the right things?  He sure didn't at the all-star break.  I'm just thinking about this now, but if Stras goes public with a temper tantrum at being shut down do the Nats change course?  I mean what is the power dynamic there between Rizzo/Davey and Stras.  I guess I'm dead serious in asking if a player mutiny of sorts, either lead by Stras or lead by someone else, could force them to play him. 

[HalfSmokes]

Are you sure Stras will say the right things?  He sure didn't at the all-star break.  I'm just thinking about this now, but if Stras goes public with a temper tantrum at being shut down do the Nats change course?  I mean what is the power dynamic there between Rizzo/Davey and Stras.  I guess I'm dead serious in asking if a player mutiny of sorts, either lead by Stras or lead by someone else, could force them to play him. 

I think saying he's disappointed/mad/should be pitching is the right thing tom was talking about (correct me if I'm wrong)

[spit]

Look I get it, I'm a born and raised Washingtonian, an original Senators fan, this is the first winning baseball team of my lifetime and I've been around for more than a minute. But there's literally nothing I can do about Stras being shut down and I simply refuse to let the complete and utter joy of watching this team play be affected by something I have zero control over anyway. 

wpa wins yet another thread

[Lintyfresh85]

Are you sure Stras will say the right things?  He sure didn't at the all-star break.  I'm just thinking about this now, but if Stras goes public with a temper tantrum at being shut down do the Nats change course?  I mean what is the power dynamic there between Rizzo/Davey and Stras.  I guess I'm dead serious in asking if a player mutiny of sorts, either lead by Stras or lead by someone else, could force them to play him. 

If the brain trust wants Stras to stay popular with the media/former players. A staged outrage wouldn't be that bad of an idea. That is... "This isn't fair... I just want to help the team win. I'm so upset with this decision, they're doing this against my will blah blah blah" that way, the blame is shifted from him to Rizzo.

[MorseTheHorse]

I think saying he's disappointed/mad/should be pitching is the right thing tom was talking about (correct me if I'm wrong)

I hear you on that, but he seemed to go further than just act like he was disappointed.  He said that he hadn't even been approached about being shut down and they'd have to rip the ball out of his hands.  I would assume the "right" thing to say was that he wants to pitch but he understands the decision and he has to respect management's right to make it. 

[tomterp]

I think saying he's disappointed/mad/should be pitching is the right thing tom was talking about (correct me if I'm wrong)

Correct.  Saying the "right thing" as far as other players (in the common culture) expect and want to hear.

[MorseTheHorse]

What makes me think he's getting fatigued? Well his velocity has trended down over the course of the season, for one thing. He's back down to his April velocity after peaking in June 2+ MPH faster.

Date                   FBv
4/5/2012     95.3
4/11/2012   94.9
4/16/2012   95.8
4/21/2012   95.7
4/28/2012   96.7
5/4/2012     96.2
5/10/2012   95.7
5/15/2012   95.2
5/20/2012   96.5
5/26/2012   95.8
6/2/2012     97.3
6/8/2012     96.6
6/13/2012   95.7
6/20/2012   96.6
6/25/2012   95.7
6/30/2012   94.9
7/6/2012     95.7
7/15/2012   95.3
7/20/2012   95.7
7/25/2012   95.4
7/31/2012   95.4
8/5/2012     95.0
8/10/2012   95.2
8/15/2012   94.1

8/21/2012      96.2

[wpa2629]

He had everything working last night. The pinpoint control was audacious

Makes my mouth wadda

[tomterp]

He had everything working last night. The pinpoint control was audacious

Makes my mouth wadda

Stras is to rain delays as Zimmn is to cortisone.

[Terpfan76]

I tell ya, that was the best I think I've seen Strasburg pitch since his debut. Wow! It was amazing to watch.

[Lintyfresh85]

I tell ya, that was the best I think I've seen Strasburg pitch since his debut. Wow! It was amazing to watch.

They were talking about that on MLB radio this morning. They also said it was the best he's looked since his debut!

[wpa2629]

Stras seems to really be able to sense a moment. He was talking about how awesome the crowd was (of course it was, I was there after all) and that the energy felt like his debut. It was a really big game in terms of this team and where we are and where we want to be and Stras grabbed it by the throat and absolutely dominated

He's got that "Big Game" mentality

It was really, really cool to watch

[MorseTheHorse]

He's got that "Big Game" mentality

It was really, really cool to watch

I agree 100%.  Hey, btw I know of some big games in October...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He had not averaged over 96 in two months.  Wow.

[cmdterps44]

I had my Strasburg cherry popped last night. It was freaking amazing.

[Mathguy]

I know where you can find some good anger management classes

If we make the playoffs and Stras isn't pitching I will be pretty pissed.

[bdevil02]

Got to see him live last night as well. Just love how fast he works, especially when he hits that groove. Like in the 5th inning when he struck out the side. That was probably the loudest sustained moment for the crowd. Everyone just seemed to know that he was going to K the next batter. Just an awesome experience.

Also loved that strikeout of Prado, I think, right after the rain delay, freezing him on that nasty curve.

[wpa2629]

Got to see him live last night as well. Just love how fast he works, especially when he hits that groove. Like in the 5th inning when he struck out the side. That was probably the loudest sustained moment for the crowd. Everyone just seemed to know that he was going to K the next batter. Just an awesome experience.

Also loved that strikeout of Prado, I think, right after the rain delay, freezing him on that nasty curve.

He didn't freeze him - Prado bailed like his life was in danger and then the pitch dropped in right over the plate - NASTY indeed

It simply wows me when Stras can make major league hitters look so utterly befuddled. It must be terrifying seeing that pitch come right at your head like it's a 4 seem fastball and then bam, it drops right over the plate.

It's not fair