Nats being in contention + Strasburg's inning cap = ???

[benb18a]

I'm a Strasburg owner who has been thrilled with his performance so far, but I'm looking down the road here. How likely is it that the Nats allow Strasburg to sit on the bench during a playoff run? It's looking like the Nats are a sure thing for the postseason given the extra wildcard spot this year. Should we look to trade him now for whatever we can get in redraft leagues? Or do you ride it out, and pray that the team allows him to start sparingly at least, at the end of the season?

In a perfect world, the Nats would use a six man rotation and stretch him out as far as possible I mean it's plausible, given they sent Lannan to the minors and all

[zippytrash]

Well, if you in a H2H league with playoffs that definitely something to consider. If you're in a roto league then you'll take whatever he gives you. I avoided him in my h2h league this year b/c I assumed he'd be shut down for the playoffs.

[Ender]

Not likely as they aren't a playoff team without a ton of luck.

[jcook3127]

Not likely as they aren't a playoff team without a ton of luck.

I don't think they're that much of a stretch for a WC especially now that there's a 5th slot available..

Their lineup is serviceable, their staff is serviceable, and they have a good pen...I'm not saying they're an awesome team but 85-86 wins wouldn't shock me and that would put them firmly in the hunt for that #5 slot for sure..it would also only represent a handful more wins than last season when they didn't have their best bat or pitcher for large chunks of the season..

I'm all in on the Nats this year...I'd love to see them in the post season

[Ender]

I'd love to see them make the playoffs too but they have a below average lineup, they have a mediocre at best defense and they have a rotation with a ton of innings/injury concerns and they are in a strong division. The odds of them making a real push for the playoffs are really low.

[benb18a]

Not likely as they aren't a playoff team without a ton of luck.

Really? I feel as though they're not much of a WS contender, but with the extra playoff spot I can't see them not being in playoff contention come August/September.

[Ender]

Not likely as they aren't a playoff team without a ton of luck.

Really? I feel as though they're not much of a WS contender, but with the extra playoff spot I can't see them not being in playoff contention come August/September.

One of the spots will easily be from the NL central, no argument at all for that. That means the Nats will be against the Braves, the Marlins and the weaker of the Giants, DIamondbacks and Dodgers. They really do have a low chance to make the playoffs unless the team stays remarkably healthy because they have no depth at all and a ton of injury concerns. This is a really common theme with young teams coming into their own, people always anoint them the next playoff team 2 to 3 years before reality.

[kab21]

I'd love to see them make the playoffs too but they have a below average lineup, they have a mediocre at best defense and they have a rotation with a ton of innings/injury concerns and they are in a strong division. The odds of them making a real push for the playoffs are really low.

A lot of question marks in the NL East and that's not even talking about the whole NL. It's not that unlikely that they are 3-5 games back in September. At that point it becomes a valid question. Do they shut down Strasburg?

My guess is that he gets skipped a few times and he has a couple of short outings but he exceeds the injury cap.

[benb18a]

Another thing to consider, is the fact that he actually returned to play last year - and was quite prolific in doing so. It's not like he had TJ last season and is fresh off the cutting board. Obviously they want the guy to be as healthy as possible going forward...but if you're not going to use him during a playoff run, when will you use him?

[Ender]

I guess we just disagree then. If they are 3.5 games back I think they stick with the cap, the only way they go for broke is if they are like 1 game back and it is a really really hard decision.