Smoltz suggests that Strasburg should fake injuries

The Washington Nationals are sticking by their stance on the number of innings that pitcher Stephen Strasburg will pitch this season. Pennant race or not the Nationals are not going to let Strasburg overwork himself.

Now I necessarily don’t agree with that philosophy. I say go with your best and let the chips fall where they may. Maybe that’s why I only manage teams on video games. Former Atlanta Braves pitcher, John Smoltz, chipped in on what he would do to shave some innings and save himself for the September stretch.

“Honestly, I know this is gonna sound . . . well, I’m a little bit different anyways,” Smoltz began. “I’d create my own little gap. I’d have a blister one day, maybe a hangnail the next start. You know, I think there’s ways to do it. And I get it — their statement is every game counts. Well, it does, but it doesn’t count as much as in September.


Sounds like something he has first hand experience in doing. I don’t find anything wrong with it, it’s not like he’s going down with a fake knee injury or anything like that. It’s something that Strasburg might want to think about since he might miss some critical starts down the stretch due to his team’s insistence that he pitch a certain number of innings.  

Is Strasburg All Star material?

Washington Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg is for real. He has lived up to the hype surrounding him since he was drafted first overall out of San Diego State. True,he hasn’t pitched against the elite teams in the majors,but the stats he’s put up,you can’t deny he’s on the fast track to the Rookie of the Year award. The question is,if Strasburg continues at his current pace,does he deserve to be named to the All-Star team. True, it would be a case of too much too soon. But can you really name 7 or 8 better starters than Strasburg at this point. Halladay,Carpenter,Cain,Lincecum, and maybe Santana are clearly ahead of Strasburg in the pitching class of the National League. But right now I can’t think of anyone else that stands above him. He may not named to the All Star squad this summer,but you can put money on it that he’ll be a fixture there for years to come.