odd situation

-David S.-

The Milwaukee Brewer’s starting rotation is in a very odd situation.  Only one pitcher, Yovani Gallrado is an established starting pitcher.  Everyone else certainly has talent, but none are  sure “go to guys” in big game situations and on a daily basis. Other pitchers that are possible starters include: Wily Peralta, Marco Estrada, Mike Fiers, Chris Narvenson, and Mark Rogers. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this group of guys is very talented.  It’s just that  most of them aren’t in my mind 100% sure starters that I would be comfortable with.  Marco Estrada, I believe should be pretty good, like he has shown the last few years in and out the rotation.  Wily Peralta is the Brewers top prospect.  He looks like a beast on the mound with upper 90s speed.  The only problem with him is his control.  It has been very shaky, but when Wily is on , believe me, this guy is crazy good!  He needs to develop his breaking pitches just a little more.  Mike Fiers came out of nowhere last year and stunned us all.  He actually looks like one of the best pitchers in the league at moments.  Even though he doesn’t have the top speeds, he paints the corners and also has just a nasty curveball.  Mike at the home stretch, last year,  was just drastically slumping.  I agree with many people that fatigue caught up with him.  Between the minors and majors combined, it’s the most innings that he has ever pitched.  Chris Narvenson was almost out the entire year last year.  No one knows how he’ll pitch this year.  To me, he has been a very average pitcher throughout his career.  Mark Rogers is just like Wily Peralta –  high speeds with control issues.  Another issue with Rogers is that he is very injury prone. One thing that went wrong this offseason was the failure to sign of a veteran guy that could provide good leadership, poise, and another solid arm. This rotation looks like a hit or a miss. Your thoughts.

The Nationals’ ace, Stephen Strasburg, received the painful news that he never wanted to hear.  Manager Davey Johnson informed Stephen that he would be shutdown after reaching his innings limit.  He ended his season with 159 1/3 innings pitched.  He was shutdown due to a  2010 Tommy John Surgery and missed the 2011 season.  The Nationals were making sure that he was healthy.  Strasburg finished the 2012 season at 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA, an absolute Cy Young candidate.  Why would they shut him down?  As I said earlier it is  to insure  that he stay healthy, but he seemed fine.  The Nationals have the best record in baseball and are preparing to make a big playoff push.  Stephen would be a big part of their postseason.  All season I’ve heard about his innings limit, but I don’t think anyone actually expected the Nats to this good. I think they  were put in an odd situation with Strasburg.  I think that they made a mistake by ending his season, because he seems perfectly healthy and if the Nats want to be serious contenders you would have to think they would’ve kept him active.

DO YOU THINK THE NATIONALS MADE THE RIGHT DECISION????????????