NCAA regionals start tomorrow, and of particular interest to both Nationals fans and local rooting interests of UVA fans. Borrowing a couple links from other sources, the Washington Times reports that UVA is “fired up” to face Strasburg. However, there still is no promise that Strasburg will go on his normal friday start, and SDSU coach Tony Gwynn isn’t revealing anything. Apparently we may not know until an hour before game time.
There is a recent precedent that may illuminate what Gwynn may do; last year Vanderbilt saved their ace Mike Minor for the second game, assuming they’d win the first and have their ace ready. The strategy backfired as they lost the first game with their #2 starter and ended up not having the pitching depth to fight back in the regional and were eliminated.
Either way, the SDSU-UVA game is scheduled to be televised on ESPN-U at 7pm friday 5/29. Personally I can’t wait and really hope that Strasburg goes in the first game so that I can finally see him live.
DC’s other local participant GMU faces South Carolina in the Greenville, NC regional at 3pm 5/29 to open their post-season.
#1 by Pilchard - May 28th, 2009 at 12:36
Would guess that Strasburg does not start tomorrow. SDSU’s #2 starter will pitch on short rest if needed on Sunday or Monday. Strasburg for millions of reason will only pitch once in the sub-regional even if he pitches Friday and SDSU is still alive on Monday.
#2 by Mike Harris - May 28th, 2009 at 12:45
Well, if he doesn’t pitch it will solve my problem for tomorrow as described on my blog at http://www.natslooser.blogspot.com (cheap plug, sorry).
But SDSU isn’t some kind of powerhouse. They pretty much have to pitch the kid. I think. I hope.
#3 by VladiHondo - May 28th, 2009 at 13:49
In all his statements, Strasburg said he didn’t care about putting on a show for scouts, that he only wanted his team to make it to Omaha. Along that light, I would think he will start tomorrow, so he’ll be available for relief Sunday/Monday.
#4 by Berndaddy - May 28th, 2009 at 13:55
Keith Law’s taking draft question on he’s chat today…
#5 by otf - May 28th, 2009 at 13:58
I think, but am not sure, that both Saturday games in the Irvine regional are on ESPNU nationally as well. If that’s true, Strasburg will be on TV one day or the other.
#6 by Todd - May 28th, 2009 at 14:32
Direct link to Law’s chat: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=26658 . I can’t access it at work. Somebody ask him why he thinks White and Leake are better than Gibson given the fact that Gibson pitched against much better teams all year and has a bigger frame (6-6 versus 6-3 for White and 6-0 for Leake).
Good news on both of SDSU’s first 2 games being on ESPN-U. That guarantees we get to see him either way. Some people think UVA is a more dangerous team than Irvine, so perhaps that plus the extra day’s rest to possibly relieve a sunday/monday game would indicate Strasburg goes friday. We’ll see.
#7 by VladiHondo - May 28th, 2009 at 14:37
The 1st link in the article (“start tomorrow”) has every game of the UVa-SDSU-UCIrvine-FS regional being on ESPNU.
Also, it’s a tough road for whoever doesn’t start 2-0 – they’ll either be eliminated or play a double header on Sunday.
#8 by John - May 28th, 2009 at 14:45
I scanned it and the most interesting thing to me was him saying people in the industry expect Wheeler to ATL, Turner to Detroit, and Miller to Texas.
I’d be thrilled if the Nats got Gibson. That would be a steal at #10 IMO. I’d still probably take Green ahead of him though.
#9 by Hoagie - May 28th, 2009 at 15:08
You forgot the local rooting interests for VT fans, who will be cheering on Stras and SDSU all the way ;)
#10 by Todd - May 28th, 2009 at 15:29
Agree with John on the lack of interesting commentary in that chat with regard to the guys right around our 9a/10 slot. If you believe Law, the Nats may be looking at a choice of Green, Gibson, Leake, White. I believe Green though is rising in stature only because the amount of college bats are weak in this draft. Its really looking like a pitcher-heavy draft, and the Nats should go with Gibson if they can. Or Matzek/Scheppers if they fall. Crow probably doesn’t sign the re-drafting consent form but would never fall to 10 anyway.
#11 by John - May 28th, 2009 at 15:38
It sounds like Crow at #3 is gaining some steam.
As far as Green vs. Gibson, I just keep picturing the Green from the Cape. A potential five-tool SS that Longoria’s former Cape Coach says has the same upside, is hard to pass up.
Gibson would excite me as well. I have this image of a press conference with him and Stras standing together with their new Nat’s jerseys. The Twin Towers:) I know Gibson would likely sign first, but I can’t help the image.
Anyone know when BA’s next mock is? Law said his was Tuesday.
#12 by Berndaddy - May 28th, 2009 at 16:18
I ask Kevin Goldstein on his chat at BP about what he thought at #10. Green ? Gibson? He said things were way up in the air to determine what was going to happen past #1 with Strasburg. ???
#13 by Berndaddy - May 28th, 2009 at 16:24
John Manuel is chatting about draft right now at BA site… It begins people…
#14 by Cole - May 28th, 2009 at 16:55
BA’s next mock comes out tomorrow.
#15 by Todd - May 28th, 2009 at 17:08
I’ll grab the next mock draft results from BA and elsewhere to compare and contrast the #9a/10 pick in a separate post tomorrow once they post it. We’re seeing all kinds of names there and I find the guesses to be entertaining.
#16 by John - May 28th, 2009 at 17:23
Gibson has been the popular pick I’ve seen lately. I’m hoping Green or Gibson at this point. I wouldn’t mind Jenkins. Jackson seems like a reach. I wouldn’t mind seeing him or Kipnis at #50
#17 by Jeff E. - May 28th, 2009 at 17:42
Starter and a closer in 1st round for Nats. too weird if STL chose Green. the depth chart would read: Greene, Greene and Green….go, green, tony!
#18 by John - May 28th, 2009 at 17:59
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090528&content_id=5009386&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb
Jenkins again at 10. Mayo does say they might spend some money at 10 and pop Purke or Green. Also mentions Drew Storen, the closer from Stanford as having thrown well in front of the Nats people last weekend.
I like what I’ve read on Jenkins, but I’ll be surprised if they pass on Gibson for him. I don’t think Gibson will be there though.
While the signability pick is still more likely, I could see them taking a Purke type. They really want PR and they can say “see we want to win” with a Purke or Green. Jenkins or some other off the board pick will be tough to defend.
My predicition (which will likely change in the next 10-12 minutes) is Green will be the pick at #10. Gibson will go to the Pirates or Reds. The top 3 will be Stras, Ackley, and Crow.
#19 by Andrew F. - May 28th, 2009 at 19:47
Doesn’t prevailing wisdom dictate you don’t take a college reliever that high? You take starters and let it all shake out in the organization. I can’t see them going any other way if one of Green, Scheppers, Leake, or Gibson is there. At least I hope so.
#20 by VladiHondo - May 29th, 2009 at 08:16
Just say no to a college reliever in the first round, it just doesn’t work out. Sure Chad did well, but he was an overdraft. Of all the decent closers in the MLB, only Trevor Hoffman & Jose Valverde did not start out as a closer.
Papelbon – Starter til majors M Rivera – 1st year in NY ‘95, started 10 times J Nathan – 6 yrs in minors as starter B LIdge – 3 yrs in minors as starter F Cordero – only 2 yrs in minors as starter F Rodriguez – 3 yrs in minors as starter C Qualls – starter til majors K Wood – starter in majors B Jenks – 5 yrs in minors as starter J Broxton – 4 yrs in minors as starter K Gregg – 7 yrs in minors as starter, 1 as reliever M Gonzalez – 6 yrs as starter Hanrahan – ok, just fooling, we all know he’s no closer!
#21 by VladiHondo - May 29th, 2009 at 12:32
Edit – only Hoffman & Valverde STARTED professionally as closers!
#22 by Todd - May 29th, 2009 at 13:44
Thanks to UVA alum Jason for this link: http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/sports/cavalier_insider/ci_baseball/article/cavs_play_waiting_game/40759
The important nugget in this story is that Boras is expected to be at the game tonight … which is almost certainly confirmation that Strasburg is going.