MLB.com reports:
Stephen Strasburg was a different pitcher the last time he faced the Cardinals, back in 2016. This was before he pitched exclusively out of the stretch, when he relied more heavily on an overpowering fastball that averaged about 95 mph, which is about where his fastball has topped out this season.
A lot has changed since 2016, but Strasburg has remained effective and, at times, downright dominant on the mound. Through all the hype, criticism and setbacks due to injuries in Strasburg’s career, that is what has remained -- when healthy, he can still be one of the nastiest pitchers in the game.
On Thursday evening at Nationals Park, Strasburg achieved his latest Major League milestone, recording the 1,500th strikeout of his career by freezing Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson with a 1-2 curveball to end the fifth inning. He became the fastest pitcher in MLB history, by innings, to do so. It was part of a masterful effort from Strasburg, who endured a 2 hour and 32 minute rain delay, to toss 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball with nine strikeouts and lift the Nationals to a 2-1 victory they so badly needed.
“For all he's been through, the expectations that he came into this organization with, some of the injuries he's dealt with over his career, I'm really happy for him to get a milestone like this at home,” closer Sean Doolittle said. “And he's pitching really, really well right now."
No comments:
Post a Comment