Throwdowns > Closed

williewilliejuan said 09/01, 01:07 PM
The Nationals should sit Strasburg - right now. If the medical people they pay to tell them such things tell them that they need to limit Strasburg's innings because of his recent surgery, they should probably listen. Most reports out of Washington say they will. However, if Strasburg only has a few games left, why waste them in the regular season?

Washington currently holds a 6.5 game lead in the East over the Braves, who aren't playing particularly good baseball right now. There is a little over a month left in the regular season. Even if the Nats only play 0.500 ball for the rest of the season, the Braves have to go 22-8 to pass them up. They haven't shown that they're able to do that.

If the Nats sit Strasburg now, he gets about five and a half weeks between his last start and the start of the playoffs to rest his arm. That rest may allow the Nats to stretch the 2-3 starts he supposedly has left to 4-5, which coincidentally is about what he would need in a deep playoff run. Strasburg looked tired in his last start anyway; he could use some rest.

They should sit Strasburg now so he will be available to them in the playoffs when the games really matter.

williewilliejuan said 09/02, 03:30 PM
Let's start by clarifying a couple of points. First, the proposed shutdown has nothing to do with the "Verducci Effect" other than they both deal with innings limits. The Verducci Effect has to do with limiting the number of innings for young pitchers as they adjust to the length of the MLB schedule. The Nats are going to shut down Strasburg pursuant to a rehabilitation schedule provided by Dr. Yocum following his Tommy John surgery. They followed a similar schedule last year with Zimmerman while he was recovering from the same surgery.

Second, this TD isn't about what is going to happen, since all indications from the Nats are they are going to let Strasburg start a couple more games and then shut him down.

According to Dr. James Andrews, the causes of UCL injuries are poor mechanics and overuse. He goes on to say "And if you overuse with poor mechanics, you're doomed." Most pitching experts say Strasburg's mechanics are flawed and put him at greater risk for injury. They shouldn't compound that with overuse. If they take him out of the rotation, keep him throwing on the side to keep up his strength without getting fatigued, they may be able to use him in the playoffs.

williewilliejuan said 09/03, 01:36 PM
"Priorities"

I like that you chose this term to end your argument. My argument is all about priorities.

Strasburg is a phenomenal young talent coming off TJ surgery. His doctors have said that the most critical time after this surgery is the first two years when the UCL is at its weakest. They have further said that the Nats need to limit his work during this period to reduce the risk of re-injury because the success rate of second TJ surgeries is not great. The Nats should prioritize the times they use him for the rest of the season.

Strasburg is like a car that has gotten a flat and is driving around on that little donut tire. He isn't going to be able to change that tire until tomorrow, but has a very important appointment later in the day. The smart thing to do is put off everything until he has to go to that appointment because he knows that stupid little tire can go at any time. You are suggesting that he drive all over town in the meantime, even if it means he never gets to his important appointment or causes further damage.

The priority for the Nats is the playoffs. They should rest him/limit his work so he will be available to play when it's most important.