You could say that Stephen Strasburg had the best major league debut of any pitcher in the history of the MLB. There were only two pitchers, J.R. Richards (in 1971) and Karl Spooner (in 1954), who recorded more strikeouts in their debut than Strasburg did Tuesday. Strasburg had 14, Richards and Spooner 15 each.
Now add to that the fact that Strasburg didn’t give up a single walk, and you have the best debut in the history of the game. No pitcher has ever pulled of this feat in his first game in the majors. In fact, only five pitchers (Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Javier Vazquez, Mike Mussina, and Brad Penny) have ever recorded games with 14 strikeout and no walks. Pretty good company, if you ask me.
What’s more, Strasburg set the franchise record for most strikeouts in a game for the Nationals. In his first game! The phenom allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings and led the Nationals to a 5-2 win. Sixty-five of the 94 pitches were strikes, and the 21-year-old kept the ball on the ground, allowing zero fly-ball outs.
The cap he wore during his debut and a game ball are already on their way to Cooperstown.
Strasburg also gave his team a couple of extra appearances on national TV. TBS will show the Nationals’ game at Cleveland Sunday, and MLB TV will carry Strasburg’s third start against the White Sox on June 18.
We will focus on Strasburg’s next start against Cleveland and look at some prop bets that Pinnacle provides:
STRASBURG EARNED RUNS ALLOWED IN GAME?
Over 2.5 +174
Under 2.5 -206
No surprise here. The Indians sit at the bottom of the AL Central and have struggled to score runs. Only four teams in the entire majors (Baltimore, Houston, Pittsburgh and Seattle) have score less runs than the Indians’ 236. This should be the under. Easily.
TOTAL PITCHES IN GAME BY STRASBURG?
Over 90.5 +149
Under 90.5 -175
Strasburg had 94 in his debut, and I don’t see him getting fewer against the Indians unless he struggles. And I can’t see him struggle against a team like that. So, I would go with the over here.
OUTS RECORDED BY STRASBURG IN THE GAME?
Over 17.5 -155
Under17.5 +132
This one goes along with the total pitches, but as you know, he needs only 6 innings to break this total. And again, unless he struggles, there is no reason for him to leave the game early. With the game being held at Cleveland, the DH is in place, and we won’t see a substitution for hitting purposes.
TOTAL STRASBURG STRIKEOUTS IN THE GAME?
Over 8.5 +177
Under 8.5 -210
He probably won’t repeat his 14-K-outing from his debut, and the 8.5 strikeouts against these Indians seem about right. Cleveland batters have struck out an average of 7.62 times per game this season, and against a pitcher like Strasburg, that total could go up.
TOTAL WALKS BY STRASBURG IN THE GAME?
Over 1.5 -157
Under 1.5 +134
Very low total here. I realize Strasburg just had a game with zero walks, but he is even less likely to repeat this feat than he is to repeat his 14 strikeouts. The Indians have drawn an average of 3.69 walks per game this year, and I think they will be able to get to at least two.
