The Strasburg Dilemma

       The poltergeist follows Steven Strasburg after every game he starts. This ghost was born in spring training, has been fed by Strasburg’s success, and has haunted the clubhouse while simultaneously growing bigger.

      Eventually, this shadow will raise its scythe and slay arguably the best pitcher in the National League this season.

      Steven Strasburg is running out of time, for his innings limit is creeping ever closer.

      The countdown clock at the end of 24 did not get this much press.  Every fifth start, the Nationals have to put up with the never-ending press surrounding the end of Strasburg’s season. Journalists' questions of ‘when are they going to shut you down?’ ‘Do you agree with the decision?’  And ‘how much time do you have left?’

      Both Strasburg and the Nationals front office have parried the questions well. However, the mortality of Strasburg’s season is weighing on the starter and the executives. And the problem with shutting down Strasburg is the amount of success the Nationals have enjoyed.

     The longer the Nationals maintain the best record in baseball, the more they look like a title contender.

And the more they look like a team that can win it all, the more they need Strasburg.

    Without Strasburg, the Nationals are unlikely to maintain the best earned run average in the National League. When Strasburg gets shut down, the Nationals could very easily fall out of the top three in the NL in strikeouts. And in the postseason, where pitching determines the king, the Nationals will have willingly sheathed their best sword. 

    The only thing that can stop Strasburg this season is the front office in our nation’s capital. And they are prepared to do so, regardless of the team’s success.

    In defense of the front office, their answer has been consistent throughout the season. General Mike Rizzo has repeatedly stated that Strasburg will be shut down at some point in September. Although there is no concrete number that will strike down Strasburg, the front office has made it clear that they want to protect their ace for the future.

    Protecting players for the future is fine when your team is in the cellar. However, the future has no guarantees and the Nationals should try to go for the World Series now.

    Realistically speaking, the Nationals without Strasburg might make it to the National League Championship Series and lose to the Cincinnati Reds in six games. The Nationals with Strasburg beat the Reds in six and could hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy over the heads of either Texas or the Yankees in seven.

   So please Mike Rizzo, call off your poltergeist and let Strasburg pitch. If not for him then do it for the fans who have suffered through a record of 412-559 since the birth of the Nationals in 2005.  For the fans will be haunted by the dreams of the World Series title your front office willingly threw away.