OFFICIAL: Yes, it’s happening. A miraculous recovery, or the Nationals pushing a sick guy? I guess we’ll see. Original post follows.
Oh come on, guys. This has gotten absurd:
BREAKING: Stephen Strasburg now likely to start for #Nats today in Game 4, source says. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 11, 2017
After a day of weird stuff about mold and illness and timing and whatever, Dusty Baker said the Nationals were going with the original plan after yesterday’s rainout, and starting Tanner Roark today. That, despite the fact that the rainout gave the Nats the opportunity to use Strasburg on regular rest.
It was a whole thing.
And now … maybe he’s miraculously recovered?
nats still hopeful Strasburg can pitch. will evaluate him at park. had flu symptoms yesterday.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 11, 2017
strasburg will pitch today if he's well enough. scott boras: "You saw him in Game 1. Why wouldn't he want to be out there?"
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 11, 2017
We’ll see when the official lineup is announced. I suppose the hope here is that Strasburg is well enough to pitch, but not quite at his very best. When he’s on, as he was in Game One, he can dominate as well as any pitcher in baseball.
Were the Nationals just trying to game the Cubs all along? Are they that savvy and willing to bend the truth?
The Cubs may have to change up their lineup if this news holds.
UPDATE: More absurdity – it’s not totally decided yet:
#Nats haven't ruled out possibility Strasburg starts today, per source. Still being decided. (@jonmorosi was 1st to report)
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 11, 2017
Word from Nats side is there's a possibility. Word from person close to Strasburg is that they now expect him to start.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) October 11, 2017