Three strikes: Quarter point surprises and duds
Article By smcneal.tsn on 19th May, 2010
Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball:
Strike 1: The calm before the Strasburg
The Nationals have been one of baseball's feel-good stories so far.
Stephen Strasburg is expected to make his major-league debut next month. Their 38-year-old catcher, Pudge Rodriguez, is hitting .333 and earning accolades for his positive influence. Their who-knows-how-old bargain starter, Livan Hernandez, has been one of the NL's best pitchers (1.46 in 49 1/3 innings). The defense, whose poor play resulted in 28 unearned runs at this point last season, has improved enough to allow only 10 unearned runs so far. And even after a five-game losing streak, Washington was 20-20 and owned the majors' best turnaround from this point last season (when it was 12-28).
And Stephen Strasburg still is scheduled to arrive early next month.
Let's hope he does. If he isn't in the majors soon, the already "out of whack" expectations -- as described by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo -- will be such that Strasburg will have to throw a no-hitter in his first game to live up to them. And if his debut comes against the Pirates, a no-no might not be enough.
The Strasburg hype is reaching LeBron James-to-the-NBA proportions. "Good comparison," Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman admits.
The Nationals are trying to temper the anticipation. They protect Strasburg from the media, and Rizzo insists they are thinking about the big picture. "I have developed players in the past and that's why I got the job," Rizzo says. "I feel comfortable with his developmental schedule. It's best for him long-term."
The club, meanwhile, goes about its business. Manager Jim Riggleman says "I never hear Stephen's name come up" in the clubhouse "except when we get some reports when he pitches."
But when the Nationals hear the reports...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
Strike 1: The calm before the Strasburg
The Nationals have been one of baseball's feel-good stories so far.
Stephen Strasburg is expected to make his major-league debut next month. Their 38-year-old catcher, Pudge Rodriguez, is hitting .333 and earning accolades for his positive influence. Their who-knows-how-old bargain starter, Livan Hernandez, has been one of the NL's best pitchers (1.46 in 49 1/3 innings). The defense, whose poor play resulted in 28 unearned runs at this point last season, has improved enough to allow only 10 unearned runs so far. And even after a five-game losing streak, Washington was 20-20 and owned the majors' best turnaround from this point last season (when it was 12-28).
And Stephen Strasburg still is scheduled to arrive early next month.
Let's hope he does. If he isn't in the majors soon, the already "out of whack" expectations -- as described by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo -- will be such that Strasburg will have to throw a no-hitter in his first game to live up to them. And if his debut comes against the Pirates, a no-no might not be enough.
The Strasburg hype is reaching LeBron James-to-the-NBA proportions. "Good comparison," Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman admits.
The Nationals are trying to temper the anticipation. They protect Strasburg from the media, and Rizzo insists they are thinking about the big picture. "I have developed players in the past and that's why I got the job," Rizzo says. "I feel comfortable with his developmental schedule. It's best for him long-term."
The club, meanwhile, goes about its business. Manager Jim Riggleman says "I never hear Stephen's name come up" in the clubhouse "except when we get some reports when he pitches."
But when the Nationals hear the reports...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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