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Stephen Strasburg to start for Nationals on Opening Day

By Dave Stevenson

Sep 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stephen Strasburg will be the Opening Day starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals in 2017. 

The Washington Nationals are looking to improve upon last season. While they returned to the postseason after a one year absence, the Nats wound up losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. The Nationals will be putting their best foot forward to start the season, as ace Stephen Strasburg will get the nod on Opening Day.

This is the fourth time in his career he is the Opening Day starter for Washington. Strasburg is taking the mound over 2016 NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and 16 game winner Tanner Roark.

However, the Nationals are making the right decision here. Looking at ERA, Strasburg had a 3.80 ERA compared to Scherzer’s 2.96 and Roark’s 2.83. But one could argue he was a more efficient pitcher last year than both of them. Despite making just 24 starts, Strasburg finished with a 15-4 record. He averaged just over six innings per start. Strasburg has health concerns and has only started 30 games in a season twice.

But when he’s healthy, he’s arguably the Nationals’ best starting pitcher. Strasburg’s FIP was a team low 2.92. Among starting pitchers who threw at least 140 innings, his FIP was the fourth lowest in the MLB.

The Nationals are banking on him staying healthy. If Strasburg’s healthy, very few teams boast the rotation depth Washington has. He strikes out a lot of hitters. In fact, Strasburg’s 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 2016 is his highest in any full season. Scherzer is far more reliable, but when he’s on his game, the first overall pick of the 2009 MLB Draft is a better pitcher.

Next: Best Starting Pitchers in MLB History

Strasburg’s injuries are disappointing, but he’s the right choice to start Opening Day for the Nationals. Washington will face the Miami Marlins on April 3 at home to kick off what could be a special season for them.

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