Update: Quick post-game thoughts added
Just a quick heads up, I’ll be liveblogging Stephen Strasburg’s MLB Debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight at 7pm for The Score
Link: http://scrbliv.me/17138
As previously mentioned, myself and writer Early watched Strasburg’s final minor league start last Thursday. His stuff is as advertised (100 MPH+)
I expect Stephen to slice through the suspect Pirates lineup tonight. Expect Pirates to be aggressive against early count fastballs. I don’t see them having too much overall success with this tactic but it should diminish Strasburg’s K total for the evening.
Update/Rough Game Notes
So much for my diminished K prediction.
Strasburg lived up to the hype tonight, striking out 14 in only 7 IP. He ended up only 1 K away from the MLB debut record of 15, set by Bob Feller way back when.
SS’s fastball control was impeccable (as evidenced by his 0 BB).
Does Strasburg throw two different curves? At times it breaks north-south and at other times east-west. Either way his curve/sluve/whatever is a plus plus pitch.
His change is still a work in progress. He rarely used his 90 MPH slider. If Strasburg can bring the change or slider up to plus level (and throw it with consistency) he’ll be close to un-hittable.
