Strasburg is on mound as a big season for the franchise begins
A season of high expectations begins for the Nationals on Thursday afternoon at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. A franchise that has spent seven long, frustrating seasons trying to build a playoff contender believes it finally has one.
Now 19 months removed from Tommy John surgery, ace right-hander Stephen Strasburg takes the mound against the Cubs. He will start the season, but he will not finish it. A team-imposed limit of about 160 innings will shut Strasburg down sometime in August. For now, he’s going to enjoy the ride as Washington’s Opening Day starter.
“I’m looking forward to just seeing a packed house, crazy fans, and it’s going to be a fun time. Hopefully we go out there and get the job done,” Strasburg said. “It’s a huge honor [to start Opening Day]. And to really think where I was a year ago at this time, I couldn’t ask for much more. I worked extremely hard to get back here. But the job isn’t done.”
The Nats have never had a winning season since moving to the District from Montreal after the 2004 season. The closest they came was an 81-81 record in 2005. Last season, they won 80 games with one rained out. With Major League Baseball adding one playoff spot in each league for 2012, can they make a big enough leap to become legitimate contenders?
“It takes you about five minutes to see the talent,” manager Davey Johnson said. “The talent is above average, and then you mix in makeup. And the makeup on this ballclub is off the charts. … The potential of this ballclub — it’s still getting its feet solid on the ground, but I like what I saw in the spring.”
Strasburg opens a three-game series with the Cubs. The weather is expected to be sunny with temperatures in the low 50s — balmy for Chicago in early April.
After a scheduled day off Friday, Gio Gonzalez will pitch Saturday, and Jordan Zimmermann will go Sunday. Washington then plays three games at Citi Field against the New York Mets before the home opener vs. the Cincinnati Reds on April 12.
