Nationals @ Padres, Game 1

[BigMeech]

He's going to feel too much pressure to pitch well in front of his friends and family.  Oh man, this has the makings of a disaster!

Oh well.  Worst case scenario is the team plays like crape tonight and I get to vent my frustrations with you fine people.

[BH34Natural]

Bah, I came here to start this.

[sportsfan882]

Yunesky Maya tonight 7 IP 5 H 1 ER 2 BB 5 K. Call him up!

[spidernat]

We stay up to watch the games and the Nats sleep through them.

[madj55]

Will the real Stephen Strasburg step up tonight? Who knows. I was watching college highlights of Stras, the dude used to pitch with emotion and he used to get hyped after inning ending K's, what happened to that guy?

[spidernat]

To date, I've missed 2 games all season. And one of those was because I was round my girlfriend's and forgot to take my tablet/laptop!

If you hadn't added the "laptop" at the end of the sentence I would've thought that was the perfect reason TO watch the game.   

[BigMeech]

Will the real Stephen Strasburg step up tonight? Who knows. I was watching college highlights of Stras, the dude used to pitch with emotion and he used to get hyped after inning ending K's, what happened to that guy?

I'd be depressed too if I had to rely on the current lineup for run support.

[mmzznnxx]

Should be a sizable pro-Strasburg crowd, fwiw.

Sizable? Strasburg expects humongous pro-Strasburg crowds. How do you expect him to pitch in such conditions?

4 IP 7 ER 2 BB 5 K incoming.

[ajcartwright]

great night for Strasburg
in front of family and friends
will jump start the Nats

[rileyn]

I'm glad Espy is benched but Lombo is almost as bad honestly.

Yup.

[tomterp]

He's going to feel too much pressure to pitch well in front of his friends and family.  Oh man, this has the makings of a disaster!

Oh well.  Worst case scenario is the team plays like crape tonight and I get to vent my frustrations with you fine people.

He didn't use to shrink from pressure.  It's more a lack of confidence in his stuff, which is still very good but not as good as before TJ.

[madj55]

Sizable? Strasburg expects humongous pro-Strasburg crowds. How do you expect him to pitch in such conditions?

4 IP 7 ER 2 BB 5 K incoming.

these Strasburg jokes are killing me, well done everyone 

[blue911]

He didn't use to shrink from pressure.  It's more a lack of confidence in his stuff, which is still very good but not as good as before TJ.

Tony Gwynn is always good for a boot in his ass

[mitlen]

I wish they all could be California girls.

[TylerDC]

Good feeling about tonight. I think.

[sportsfan882]

The Padres are playing very good baseball, you have to think they will be motivated to do well vs Strasburg to ruin his homecoming as well.

Not an easy start. They are a scrappy team with some good hitters.

[spidernat]

I think some are making too much out of the hometown angle.

[mitlen]

I think some are making too much out of the hometown angle.

We can never make too much out of it.   Are you losing your edge?   

[tomterp]

I think some are making too much out of the hometown angle.

There's no way to ever know how much something like that can influence performance.  Mindfacts will have to suffice until science catches up.

[ajcartwright]

I think some are making too much out of the hometown angle.

maybe so, what else
do we have at this point though,
an Espi breakout?

[Matugi]

Strasburg turns his season around here.

[sportsfan882]

Volquez is really bad. No excuses tonight, offense.

[Manly]

Tonight, TONIGHT, is the night the season turns for the better. Stras deals, and the bats heat up. Leggo!

[TylerDC]

I <3 Span.

[sportsfan882]

freak yeah, great AB Denard

Volquez is very erratic. He will walk you