In case you guys forgot: Stephen Strasburg debuts in DC tonight!!

[TZ]

Not that the media hasn't mentioned it a time or two...;)
I'm excited though. This is the biggest thing in DC baseball since..well since they announced that the Expos were moving to DC...
Anybody got any predictions for how he does tonight?:)

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Really? I Hadn't Heard

Well, not in the last 3 minutes anyway!

Actually, i'm looking forward to see how he does.
GAC

[Kingofalldems]

2. And Yes!!

No predictions, I don't want to jinx him.

[Chan790]

3. A prediction...

3R and 7H in 7IP with 2BB and 6K, No decision in a 5-3 L. Most pitchers don't have a great outing in their first MLB game. (Note that is a better-than-average outing for most MLB starters.)

I think if he stays on the MLB roster, he wins NL ROY.

[JonLP24]

16. How about Mike Leak?

He skipped the minors and pitched right away for the Reds. In his first game he pitched 6 2/3 innings with 4 hits and just 1 earned run. So far he is 5-0, 2.22 ERA, with 50 strikeouts. I think he is a very good candidate for NL rookie of the year so far. Strasburg could bypass him but this guy is awesome. Saw him play for Arizona State last year.

[Chan790]

17. Leak is doing awesome...

but I think Strasburg will do nearly as well and probably take it on name-recognition/hype and the ESPN factor.

You're going to see a lot of Strasburg on SportsCenter and I expect he'll generate a lot of highlight clips. Leak isn't getting that kind of attention. For a lot of ROY candidates, especially pitchers, highlights from ESPN are the only thing some voters are going to see. If Mike Leak doesn't start when the Reds are in your city...you're not going to have much other than the stats to go on. Stats are not sexy...awards are won on "sexiness". How many times does the guy who hits 30HRs and strikes out 150 times win or the guy who went 10-7 but rang-up 250Ks? You can't tell me those were the best performing new player in the league...the most exciting to watch certainly.

Unfortunately, it's a beauty contest and I don't think the clearly best player always wins...this one is probably going to be a horse race and the result will be debatable in the aftermath either way.

[JonLP24]

18. I see your point

You're right that he doesn't receive hardly any hype. The biggest reason why I know who he is because he played for my favorite college team, Arizona State.

[joeybee12]

4. Who is this guy? Is he supposed to be good?

:shrug:

[TZ]

13. He's 2010's Dice-K

In terms of hype anyway...;)

[joeybee12]

14. My condolences...

even after last night he still has to do a lot moer to make me think he was worth that fortune.

[charlie and algernon]

15. he exceeds Dice-K's hype

he's getting into Alex Gordon hype territory. Remember when Gordon was supposed to be greater than Pujols? :rofl:

[hughee99]

21. I was thinking Todd Van Poppel. n/t

[Kingofalldems]

5. Strasmas Day is finally here!!

[JonLP24]

6. Nats drafted Bryce Harper

He is being called the LeBron James of baseball or something. Well over .400 batting average. He could be a bigger star than this Strasburg fellow. :)

[TZ]

8. I hear its going to be 2-3 years before he hits the majors though

I'm a little wary of him though cause he looks a little cocky....He painted his face with the black undereye stuff...:eyes:

[JonLP24]

11. That's not as wierd to me as

Ronny Cedeno for the Pirates drawing a mustache on his face with eye-black to fit in with his teammates who took up a mustache challenge. I guess he had trouble growing one so he took matters into his own hands.

I don't know the reason for him to paint his face black but I imagine it's some kind of war paint thing. Anything that a player thinks will give him an edge, I'm ok with.

[PRETZEL]

20. two to three years isn't bad at all though

kid's only 18.

[Iggo]

7. Stephen who now?

[PRETZEL]

9. Predict what,

they're playing the freakin Pirates.

I love my Bucco's but they just aren't real good right now,

And the last 17 years doesn't have much to do with this year.

[charlie and algernon]

10. I'll be there!

:bounce:

[TZ]

12. Have fun!

Great weather for it tonight!

[Auggie]

19. Good luck, Strasburg...

Except when you play the Giants.

[TZ]

22. So he might not win this one

But 11 strikeouts with 3 hits IS NOT a bad first game

[Auggie]

24. I think it's phenomenal (plus the Nats just came back)

[Condem]

23. He's up now.

This guy looks like he has some good shit.

[Auggie]

25. He's done for the night. 14 Ks over 7 innings...

gave up 4 hits. One mistake. An awesome debut, IMO.

[JonLP24]

26. Damn

It looks like he outperformed Mike Leake in his opener(Which was against Washington). 7 innings, 7 hits, 1 run, 5 strikeouts, and the win.