Either Stephen Strasburg is under strict orders to not give a definitive answer about whether or not he’s pitching in the postseason, or he was just trying to have fun with the MLB Network crew on Monday night. After the Nationals clinched their first NL East division title in team history, Strasburg spoke with analysts Mitch Williams and Harold Reynolds. The conversation was, shall we say, intriguing.
Williams asked Strasburg if there was some sort of “covert operation” going on behind the scenes that nobody knows about that would result in him pitching in the postseason. He gave the following answer (you can watch the interview here).
“Uh, you know, we’ll have to wait and see,” Strasburg said according to D.C. Sports Bog. “I’ve been playing catch and everything. But I think this team is very, very capable of taking it all the way.”
Reynolds then chimed in and said he wasn’t buying the answer, pointing out that Strasburg was smirking. The Nats ace then began smiling even more, and he certainly was given an adequate chance to assure everyone he won’t be pitching — but he didn’t.
“Well, all I can say is it’s pretty tough,” Strasburg added. “But times like these, it just makes it all the better. It was awesome to be able to witness this and experience it, and I know we’re going on to bigger and better things.”
When asked if he would be hitting in the postseason, Strasburg didn’t deny that either. Obviously he wont have a bat in his hands, so it’s possible he was just having some fun and didn’t want to give any definitive answers. That being said, the Nationals seem pretty intent on shutting him down until next season. Does that mean he won’t throw an inning in relief if the team feels they could use him? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Photo Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE
